Does Similarity lead to Interpersonal Attraction?

The impression of “birds of a feather flock together” clearly points towards the existence of an eminent phenomenon of nature that dictates the dependence of interpersonal attraction with the co-existence of similarity. For ages, this phenomenon has been validated by many scholars and theorists, however, it hasn’t been properly examined until recently. A group of sociologists and psychologists from the Illinois State University have recently conducted an experimental study over a large sample of college students, to test the effects of the following four variables on the similarity-liking relationship.

1. Consensual validation: The positive feeling you get about yourself when someone validates your attitude and views,
2. Certainty of being liked: being liked or being positively evaluated by the similar other,
3. Enjoyment of the interaction: The interaction with a similar other that is more enjoyable and fun,
4. Self-expansion: The feeling of expanding yourself with those who offer opportunities for self-expansion.

All the four factors mentioned above are cognitive states that were observed to be enhanced by similarity.

The Experiment

A survey was conducted in order to determine the role of similarity and its effects on the outcomes of a relationship. Two types of samples were obtained from a U.S. Midwest University and were combined to include a total of 620 participants in the survey with almost 60% females of an average age of 20. The first sample was obtained from a total of 373 college students who were already engaged in several social science courses. The second sample, based on questionnaires, of the remaining 247 individuals was specifically obtained from the people who were in the early stage of becoming attached to someone. A majority from the 2^nd sample were going through the first 3 months of their relationship development phase.

The participants for the survey were asked to indicate the level of similarity with their partners on the scale of 1 for not at all, to 3 for being extremely similar. The four dimensions for the similarity test were: attitudes and values, interests and leisure activities, social skills/interaction styles, and background characteristics.

To measure the feeling of attraction or positivity towards the other, a number of items were examined such as respect for the other, liking and level of attachment as well as behavioral intentions like the desire to spend time with them. A response scale ranging from 1 for not at all to 7 for a great deal, was used.

Questions such as “When ___ and I engage in activities together, it is always fun”, were included in the questionnaire to develop more insight into the findings and derive the consensual result.

The Findings

The four influences of similarity i.e. attitudes and values, interests and leisure activities, social skills/interaction styles, and background characteristics were each found to be substantially correlated with the four variables of similarity-liking relationship. The only exception was that the similarity in leisure interests was not necessarily interdependent on the certainty of being liked. The variables were also observed to be positively associated with the feelings of attraction for the other. As a result all the four variables were seen to be uniquely reconciling the relation between similarity and attraction.

In a nut shell, Similarity can be very appealing between two individuals as it contributes to the factors of being validated, enjoying more, being liked more, and having the freedom to expand one’s self. Although, these factors may sound trivial, but all four these variables provide a unique perspective to the sense of attraction, from the casual relationship and having a fun time with a partner, to inspiring one’s self with new ideas and motivations. The study has enabled us to establish one of the most important aspects of human life: the basis of relationships with others.

The details of the questionnaire can be found here.