4. Partly because it’s so broad… But there’s still a lot of interesting research on it!
5. Let’s talk definitions. Homophily: if we believe people are similar to us, we are more attracted to them.
6. Aww. How cute. This is important in judging people we want to have relationships with.
7. But not just romantic relationships. Any type. From a stranger on the street to potential employers.
8. So what area of Communication Studies claims it? TAKE A GUESS.
9. You got it! Interpersonal Communication. Because we need more than one person for attraction.
10. Okay.So why do we study Similarity-Attraction? Lots of reasons!
11. It matters to anyone in contact with other human beings. Human is sometimesa relative term…
12. This theory helps explain whatattractsdifferent types of people. It’s useful in marketing, advertising, human resources, etc.
13. What are some current conversations in the wonderful world of Similarity and Interpersonal Attraction? Well, let me tell you! (briefly)
14. For a while, researchers mainly studied attraction due to similarity between strangers. (Dr. Donn Byrne, starting in 1961)
15. Others have decided to take it further, studying similarity-attraction in various stages of relationships and different types of interactions. SeeSingh, Ng,EeLin,Lin’s 2008 study: Different mediators for the age, sex, and attitude similarity effects in interpersonal attraction
16. However, some say you can’t prove causation between similarity and attraction. Sunnafrank, 1985 and 1992
17. So, what do I think about all this? Because I KNOW you want to know.
18. I’d argue that some degree of similarity is an essential factor in maintaining all types of associations…
19. …but there should be certaincomplementary characteristics for a trulysuccessful relationship.
20. “Actual similarity [as opposed to perceived similarity] was important in no-interaction and short-interaction studies.” (Montoya, Horton, and Kirchner, 2008)
21. So, that means if you’re passing someone on the street or briefly meeting them, you’re more attracted to similarity.
22. However actual relationships must be “more complementary in terms of dominance [personality traits].” (Markey & Markey, 2007)
23. This means that dissimilar (dominant and submissive) people go better together in relationships, and have more minor similarities (like interests and warmth).
24. Summary: Similarity is good for interests and values. Complementarity in terms of dominant vs. submissive is better in longer relationships. Got it? Clarity is always important.
25. So there you go. That’s a (short) explanation of the Similarity and Interpersonal Attraction Theory. You’re welcome.
