1. Interpersonal Attraction
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTS
GROUP MEMBERS: KIMBERLEY EE SZE ANN (0315319),
KAWTHAR RASHID JEEWA (0314832)
LEE YAUE SHEN (0315381),
YUAN KHAI SHIEN (0314818),
KELVIN NG (0315381),
AYUNI NORDIN.
SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY (PSYC0103)
LECTURER: PANG CHIA YEE
SUBMISSION DATE: 22ND JANUARY 2014
2. Interpersonal Attraction
Running head: Interpersonal Attraction
Interpersonal Attraction: Types of attraction (social attraction, physical attraction and task
attraction) that influence a person when choosing a life partner.
KIMBERLEY EE SZE ANN (0315319),
KAWTHAR JEEWA (0314832)
LEE YAUE SHEN (0315381),
YUAN KHAI SHIEN (0314818),
KELVIN NG (0315381).
Group Research Assignment
3. Interpersonal Attraction
Acknowledgement
Firstly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our lecturer, Miss Chia Yee Pang for
giving us the opportunity to carry out this assignment on the conduction of psychological
research. We are grateful for all the support and guidance that you gave us in carrying out our
research and investigation.
Furthermore, we must give thanks to Taylor’s University for allowing us to conduct our
research on campus premises.
Lastly, we would like to thank all the participants involved in this study for their time and
willingness to coorporate with us in completing our research assignment.
4. Interpersonal Attraction
Table of Contents
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………..…ii
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………iii
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………2
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………...3
METHOD………………………………………………………………………………..4
Participants……………………………………………………………………….20
Materials /Apparatus……………………………………………………………..20
Procedure………………………………………………………………………...23
RESULTS………………………………………………………………………………..25
DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………..30
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………..55
APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………...62
Appendix A: Questionnaire………………………………..……….62
Appendix B : Tabulated Scores of Participants………………………………..……….
5. Interpersonal Attraction
Abstract
This study examined the types of attraction (social attraction, physical attraction and task
attraction) that influence a person when choosing a life partner. One hundred participants were
given survey forms based on the Interpersonal Attraction Scale by McCroskey and McCain
(1974) and asked to fill in the questions with respect to either a commited partner, a new/casual
partner or an ideal partner. The purpose of the survey was to identify how the types of attraction
(social attraction, physical attraction and task attraction) influence a person when choosing a life
partner. The main hypotheses was that the majority of people would be greater influenced by
physical attraction when choosing a life partner as proven by McCroskey and McCain (1974).
7. Interpersonal Attraction
Method
Participants
100 university students participated in this study. The participants ranged from 13 to 17
years old to 33 years old and above. 57 of the participants were male while 43 were female.
Following is a graph showing age and sex of participants involved in the survey:
Graph Showing Age and Sex of Participants
No. of Participants
60
50
40
30
Male
20
Female
10
0
13-17
18-22
23-27
28-32
33 and
above
Age
Materials / Apparatus
Questionnaires were used to collect data from participants. The questionnaires were used
to identify the participants general demographics (sex and age). Participants were then asked
questions relating to the Interpersonal Attraction Scale by McCroskey and McCain (1974). They
were asked to identify the type of individual they would be anwering the survey about (a
commited partner, a new/casual partner, or an ideal partner).
8. Interpersonal Attraction
Procedure
Participants were informed that the study was to investigate the types of attraction (social
attraction, physical attraction and task attraction) that influence a person when choosing a life
partner. The purpose of the survey was clearly printed on the questionnaire while participants
were verbally informed that they had the right to withdraw from the survey at any time. The
participants were each handed a questionnaire and given some time to fill in the answers. The
questionnaires were collected once participants were ready to hand them in.
9. Interpersonal Attraction
Results
Types of Attraction Desired by Females in a Committed Partner
No of Participants
Graph of Types of Attraction Desired by Females in a
Committed Partner
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Physical Attraction
Social Attraction
Task Attraction
13-17
18-22
23-27
28-32
33 and
above
Age
Nine female participants answered the questionnaire based on a committed partner. One female
participant was aged 13-17 years old, six female participants were aged 18-22 years old, one
female participant was aged 28-32 years old and one female participant was aged 33 and above.
No participants from age group 23-27 answered the questionnaire based on a committed partner.
One out of one (100%) of female participants aged 13-17 scored a committed partner highest in
physical attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 13-17 would choose a
committed partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task attraction.
Two out of six (33%) of female participants aged 18-22 scored a committed partner highest in
physical attraction and four out of six (67%) of female participants aged 18-22 scored a
committed partner highest in social attraction. This means that 33% of female participants aged
18-22 would choose a committed partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task
attraction and 67% of female participants aged 18-22 would choose a committed partner based
on social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
One out of one (100%) of female participants aged 28-32 scored a committed partner highest in
social attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 28-32 would choose a
committed partner based on social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
10. Interpersonal Attraction
One out of one (100%) of female participants aged 33 and above scored a committed partner
highest in physical attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 33 and above
would choose a committed partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task
attraction.
The highest type of attraction desired by female participants aged 13-17 and 33 and above in a
committed partner was physical attraction while the highest type of attraction desired by female
participants aged 18-22 and 28-32 was social attraction.
11. Interpersonal Attraction
Types of Attraction Desired by Females in an Ideal Partner
Graph of Types of Attraction Desired by Females in an
Ideal Partner
No of Participants
14
12
10
8
6
Physical Attraction
4
Social Attraction
2
Task Attraction
0
13-17
18-22
23-27
28-32
33 and
above
Age
22 female participants answered the questionnaire based on an ideal partner. One female
participant was aged 13-17 years old, 18 female participants were aged 18-22 years old, two
female participants were aged 23-27 years old and one female participant was aged 33 and
above. No participants from age group 28-32 answered the questionnaire based on an ideal
partner.
One out of one (100%) of female participants aged 13-17 scored an ideal partner highest in
physical attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 13-17 would choose an
ideal partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task attraction.
Three out of 18 (17%) of female participants aged 18-22 scored an ideal partner highest in
physical attraction, 13 out of 18 (72%) of female participants aged 18-22 scored an ideal partner
highest in social attraction and two out of 18 (11%) of female participants aged 18-22 scored an
ideal partner highest in task attraction. This means that 17% of female participants aged 18-22
would choose an ideal partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task attraction,
72% of female participants aged 18-22 would choose an ideal partner based on social attraction
rather than physical or task attraction and 11% of participants ages 18-22 would choose an ideal
partner based on task attraction rather than physical or social attraction.
12. Interpersonal Attraction
Two out of two (100%) of female participants aged 23-27 scored an ideal partner highest in
social attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 23-27 would choose an ideal
partner based on social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
One out of one (100%) of female participants aged 33 and above scored an ideal partner highest
in social attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 33 and above would
choose an ideal partner based on social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
The highest type of attraction desired by female participants aged 13-17 in an ideal partner was
physical attraction while the highest type of attraction desired by female participants aged 18-22,
23-27 and 33 and above in an ideal partner was social attraction.
13. Interpersonal Attraction
Types of Attraction Desired by Females in a New/Casual Partner
Graph of Types of Attraction Desired by Females in A
New/Casual Partner
No. of Participation
7
6
5
4
3
Physical Attraction
2
Social Attraction
1
Task Attraction
0
13-17
18-22
23-27
28-32
33 and
above
Age
12 female participants answered the questionnaire based on a new/casual partner. One female
participant was aged 13-17 years old, eight female participants were aged 18-22 years old, two
female participants were aged 23-27 years old and one female participant was aged 33 and
above. No participants from age group 28-32 answered the questionnaire based on a new/casual
partner.
One out of one (100%) of female participants aged 13-17 scored a new/casual partner highest in
social attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 13-17 would choose a
new/casual partner based on social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
Two out of eight (25%) of female participants aged 18-22 scored a new/casual partner highest in
physical attraction and six out of eight (75%) of female participants aged 18-22 scored a
new/casual partner highest in social attraction. This means that 25% of female participants aged
18-22 would choose a new/casual partner based on physical rather than social or task attraction
and 75% of female participants would choose a new/casual partner based on social attraction
rather than physical or task attraction.
Two out of two (100%) of female participants aged 23-27 scored a new/casual partner highest in
social attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 23-27 would choose a
new/casual partner based on social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
14. Interpersonal Attraction
One out of one (100%) of female participants aged 33 and above scored a new/casual partner
highest in social attraction. This means that 100% of female participants aged 33 and above
would choose a new/casual partner based on social attraction rather than physical or task
attraction.
The highest type of attraction desired by female participants aged 13-17, 18-22, 23-27 and 33
and above in a new/casual partner was social attraction.
15. Interpersonal Attraction
Types of Attraction Desired by Males in a Committed Partner
Graph of Types of Attraction Desired by Males in a
Committed Partner
No. of Participants
14
12
10
8
6
Physical Attraction
4
Social Attraction
2
Task Attraction
0
13-17
18-22
23-27
28-32
33 and
above
Age
21 male participants answered the questionnaire based on a committed partner. One male
participant was aged 13-17 years old, 19 male participants were aged 18-22 years old and two
male participants were aged 28-32 years old. No participants from age groups 23-27 and 33 and
above answered the questionnaire based on a committed partner.
One out of one (100%) of male participants aged 13-17 scored a committed partner highest in
physical attraction. This means that these participants would choose a committed partner based
on physical attraction rather than social or task attraction.
12 out of 19 (63%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored a committed partner highest in
physical attraction. 6 out of 19 (32%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored a committed
partner highest in social attraction. 1 out of 19 (5%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored a
committed partner highest in task attraction. This means that 63% of male participants aged 1822 would choose a committed partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task
attraction, 32% of male participants aged 18-22 would choose a committed partner based on
social attraction rather than physical or task attraction and 5% of male participants aged 28-32
would choose a committed partner based on task attraction rather than physical or social
attraction.
16. Interpersonal Attraction
One out of one male (100%) participants aged 28-32 scored a committed partner highest in social
attraction. This means that these participants would choose a committed partner based on social
attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
The highest type of attraction desired by male participants aged 13-17 in a committed partner
was physical attraction while the highest type of attraction desired by male participants aged 1822 in their ideal partner was also physical attraction. The highest type of attraction desired by
males aged 28-32 was social attraction.
17. Interpersonal Attraction
Types of Attraction Desired by Males in an Ideal Partner
Graph of Types of Attraction Desired by Males an
Ideal Partner
No. of participants
14
12
10
8
6
Physical Attraction
4
Social Attraction
2
Task Attraction
0
13-17
18-22
23-27
28-32
33 and
above
Age
27 male participants answered the questionnaire based on their ideal partner. One male
participant was aged 13-17 years old while 26 male participants were aged 18-22 years old. No
participants from age groups 23-27, 28-32 and 33 and above answered the questionnaire based
on an ideal partner.
One out of one (100%) of male participants aged 13-17 scored their ideal partner highest in
social attraction. This means that these participants would choose an ideal partner based on
social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
11 out of 26 (42%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored their ideal partner highest in physical
attraction. 13 out of 26 (50%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored their ideal partner highest
in social attraction. Two out of 26 (8%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored their ideal partner
highest in task attraction. This means that 42% of male participants aged 18-22 would choose an
ideal partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task attraction, 50% of participants
aged 18-22 would choose an ideal partner based on social attraction rather than physical or task
attraction and 8% of participants aged 18-22 would choose an ideal partner based on task
attraction rather than physical or social attraction.
18. Interpersonal Attraction
The highest type of attraction desired by male participants aged 13-17 in their ideal partner was
social attraction while the highest type of attraction desired by male participants aged 18-22 in
their ideal partner was also social attraction.
19. Interpersonal Attraction
Types of Attraction Desired by Males in a New/Casual Partner
Graph of Types of Attraction Desired by Males in a New/Casual
Partner
No. of participants
3.5
3
2.5
2
Physical Attraction
1.5
Social Attraction
1
Task Attraction
0.5
0
13-17
18-22
23-27
Age
28-32
33 and above
Nine male participants answered the questionnaire based on a new/casual partner. Six male
participants were aged 18-22 years old, two male participants were aged 23-27 years old and one
male participant was aged 28-32 years old. No participants from age groups 13-17 and 33 and
above answered the questionnaire based on a new/casual partner.
Three out of six (50%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored a new/casual partner highest in
physical attraction and three out of six (50%) of male participants aged 18-22 scored a
new/casual partner highest in social attraction. This means that 50% of male participants aged
18-22 would choose a new/casual partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task
attraction and another 50% of male participants aged 18-22 would choose a new/casual partner
based on social attraction rather than physical or task attraction.
Two out of two (100%) of male participants aged 23-27 scored a new/casual partner highest in
physical attraction. This means that 100% of male participants aged 23-27 would choose a
new/casual partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task attraction.
One out of one (100%) of male participants aged 28-32 scored a new/casual partner highest in
physical attraction. This means that 100% of male participants aged 28-32 would choose a
new/casual partner based on physical attraction rather than social or task attraction.
20. Interpersonal Attraction
Participants aged 13-17 had an equal desire of physical and social attraction in a new/casual
partner. The highest type of attraction desired by male participants aged 23-27 in a new/casual
partner was physical attraction while the highest type of attraction desired by male participants
aged 28-32 in a new/casual was also physical attraction.
21. Interpersonal Attraction
Disscussion
Analysis of Female Participants
In the case of new/casual partners, females of all age groups involved in the study seemed more
inclined to feel an attraction to partners that were socially compatible to themselves. Indeed,
83.3% of all females in the study were drawn to social attraction.
Similarly, in ideal partner’s of females, it was recorded that a vast majority of the females in the
study (a startling 72.7%) preferred their ideal partner to posses some degree of social attraction
rather than physical or task attraction.
Finally, in the case of committed relationships, females seemed to weigh physical attraction of
some value as well, as 44.4% were recorded to find it the most important draw to their respective
partner. However, more females still felt that social attraction was the most important type of
attraction.
In closing, females mostly seem to value social attraction above all else and while physical
attraction is seen to be of some importance, it seems that task attraction is an almost negligible
factor.
Analysis of Male Participants
In the case of new/casual partners, the participants of younger age groups seemed to come to a
standstill as they viewed both physical and social attraction equally important in respective
partners.
However, among all the males involved in the study (especially participants from older age
groups), the majority found that physical attraction was the most important of the types of
attractions considered.
In the case of ideal partners, males seemed to value social attraction above all else evident by the
fact that more than half the male participants (51.9%) were attracted to partners socially on parr
with them.
22. Interpersonal Attraction
Lastly, the findings revealed that in committed partners, most males valued physical attraction
more (62%) although the older age group seemed torn between physical and social attraction.
In closing, it is found that males are more inclined to be attracted to a partner they find
physically attractive (63.6%) and that social attraction plays second fiddle in the case of male
participants. Again task attraction is an almost negligible factor.
Overall Analysis for Male and Female participants
In conclusion, we can observe that females are shown to place more value in social attraction
(67.4%) while males tended to value physical attraction more (51%).
Final Conclusion
As for participants in general the highest valued attraction was social attraction (55.5%),
followed by physical attraction (51%) and task attraction (5%). The hypotheses that the majority
of people would be greater influenced by physical attraction when choosing a life partner as
proven by McCroskey and McCain (1974) is not supppported. The reason for this is because the
original surveys carried out by McCroskey and McCain (1974) were carried out in Western
countries. This survey was however carried out in Malaysia and thus yielded different results.
Some of the reasons for this are that that Asian people have different views then Westerners. For
example, Asians emphasize the group as a primary whereas Westerners put the individual ahead
of the group (Psychologytoday.com, 2014). Therefore it could be that Asians prefer social
partners that would be more suitable for group interaction and to them this is may be much more
important than physical features. Furthermore, when compared to Asians, Westerners tend to
focus on central objects more than on their surroundings (Goldberg, 2014), this could very well
be the reason why Westerners find physical attraction to be more important than social attraction
as they are more concerned with the imeadiate characteristics (physical appearance) than the
long term characteristics (sociability).
23. Interpersonal Attraction
References
1. Goldberg, C. (2014). Differences between east and west discovered in people’s brain activity the tech. [online] Retrieved from: http://tech.mit.edu/V128/N9/culture.html [Accessed: 21
Jan 2014].
2. Jamescmccroskey.com. (2014). Feelings about communicating with others. [online] Retrieved
from: http://www.jamescmccroskey.com/measures/attraction_interpersonal.htm [Accessed:
21 Jan 2014].
3. Jamescmccroskey.com. (2014). [online] Retrieved from:
http://www.jamescmccroskey.com/publications/057.pdf [Accessed: 21 Jan 2014].
4. Midss.org. (2014). Measures of interpersonal attraction | measurement instrument database
for the social sciences. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.midss.org/content/measuresinterpersonal-attraction [Accessed: 21 Jan 2014].
5. Psychologytoday.com. (2014). Is there a difference between psyches east and west? [online]
Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/am-i-right/201304/is-theredifference-between-psyches-east-and-west [Accessed: 21 Jan 2014].
24. Interpersonal Attraction
Appendix A
Interpersonal Attraction
This survey is based on the Interpersonal Attraction Scale by McCroskey and McCain (1974). The purpose
of this survey is to identify the type of attraction (social attraction, physical attraction or task attraction) that
influences a person when choosing a life partner.
Please complete the survey by marking the most suitable answer for each question.
1. What is your gender?
a) Female
b) Male
2. What is your age?
a) 13-17
b) 18-22
c) 23-27
d) 28-32
e) 33 and above
25. Interpersonal Attraction
3. What type of individual are you completing this test about?
a) A committed partner
b) A new/casual partner
c) Your ideal partner
Use the following scale and write one number before each statement to indicate your feelings.
Strongly
Moderately
Slightly
agree
agree
agree
7
6
5
Undecided
Moderately
Strongly
disagree
4
Slightly
disagree
disagree
3
2
1
______ 1. He (she) is a typical goof-off when assigned a job to do.
______ 2. It would be difficult to meet and talk with him (her).
______ 3. We could never establish a personal friendship with each other.
______ 4. He (she) is somewhat ugly.
______ 5. I think he (she) could be a friend of mine.
______ 6. I would like to have a friendly chat with him (her).
______ 7. I think he (she) is quite handsome (pretty).
______ 8. He (she) would be a poor problem solver.
______ 9. I find him (her) very attractive physically.
______ 10.I don't like the way he (she) looks.
______ 11.He (she) just wouldn't fit into my circle of friends.
______ 12.He (she) is very sexy looking.
26. Interpersonal Attraction
______ 13.I have confidence in his (her) ability to get the job done.
______ 14.If I wanted to get things done, I could probably depend on him (her).
______ 15.I couldn't get anything accomplished with him (her).
----END OF SURVEY ---THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
27. Interpersonal Attraction
Appendix B
Scores of Participants Based on Interpersonal Attraction Scale by McCroskey and McCain (1974)
No.
Sex
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Type of
Individual
(Partner)
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
Ideal
New/Casual
New/Casual
New/Casual
New/Casual
New/Casual
New/Casual
New/Casual
New/Casual
New/Casual
Age
Physical
Attraction
Social
Attraction
Task
Attraction
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
13-17
18-22
23-27
18-22
18-22
18-22
18-22
23-27
28-32
18-22
18-22
30
29
28
29
24
21
30
21
26
26
29
30
20
20
23
25
27
29
36
28
20
27
25
22
23
27
21
26
18
26
27
25
29
23
26
23
29
27
31
30
32
25
24
24
28
22
35
28
27
30
24
24
23
34
29
35
19
27
23
28
24
29
18
14
24
24
31
21
28
14
29
18
20
17
26
22
22
20
23
19
25
21
18
11
20
25
22
19
19
19
21
23
19
30
19
23
21
31
22
19
18
19
23
23
21
20
25
22
