Interpersonal attraction factors

The motivation that leads us to seek to relate to others is part of the need for affiliation that human being has as a social being.

He Multidimensional model of affiliation De Hill (1987), as well as work around this Stanley Schachter and Rofé argue that people are associated for four reasons:

1. To obtain positive stimulation, which can result from the simple fact of being in contact with that person, because you enjoy any of its characteristics.
2. To receive emotional support, as reflected in situations of stress, anxiety and fear.
3. With the aim of acquiring more information, since the human being is curious by nature.
4. To receive attention from others And sometimes even the approval is sought.

Content

• What is interpersonal attraction?
• Factors that encourage interpersonal attraction
  • Reciprocity
  • Proximity
  • Likeness
• Socially valued characteristics
  • Conclusion
  • Links
  • Bibliographic references

What is interpersonal attraction?

Social psychology defines interpersonal attraction as the judgment that one person makes of another throughout an attitudinal, cognitive and behavioral dimension, their extremes range from the positive to the refusal, this according to their own parameters, which generally are influenced by sociocultural variables. It is when you evaluate and decide whether another person pleases you or not, it is a merely subjective process, because it depends on "Eye of the observer”, Of its context and sociocultural influences.

Have you found someone who tells you that it was your partner at school but you don't remember? When you meet a person or share some environment with her, cognitively you decide whether or not the subject has an interest for you, If you do not find interest in that person, the process of cognitive ignorance.

Levinger and Snoek (1972), proposed that people go through 4 stages as interpersonal relationships are developed:

1. Zero contact. Refers to the propincuity or closeness that we can have with another person.
2. Knowledge: Impressions can be unilateral, when only one of the people knows the other and bilateral when both know each other.
3. Surface contact. Occurs when people begin to interact with each other.
4. Reciprocity. They usually seem more pleasant people who have a positive perception about you and show you.

Factors that encourage interpersonal attraction

What makes two people feel attracted to others? H. T. Reis, proposed the following interpersonal attraction factors:

Reciprocity

The Social exchange theory, states that a person can be more attractive if you think that the rewards that will be derived from that link are greater than the costs and effort that it implies. Likewise, people generally feel more attracted to people who think of them well and who affirm their self -concept.

On the other hand, the Reinforcement theory He points out that there is a greater personal attraction when reinforcing social interactions in a positive way, because it will be more likely that you are associated with pleasant experiences, the phenomenon of perception of proximity. This occurs with gratitude, for example, when a person makes you some present and send a thank you note, the link and the association of positive ideas between both parties are strengthened.

Reciprocity can serve as a main predictor of interpersonal attraction, so it is important in ourself.

Proximity

Proposed that The closer existence among individuals is the most that there is an opportunity for a meeting. People who are closer are generally more accessible, because there is more opportunity to interact with them, in that sense it is a situational variable. Within these factors, those who make us are close to a person imply, either for social issues such as: work, school, the proximity of residence or sharing a hobby or interest, for that reason: proximity and similarity are intimately linked.

Familiarity can increase proximity and thus interpersonal attraction, to which Zanjoc (1968) called: "Mera Exhibition Effect”: Repeated perception of an initially neutral or positive stimulus leads to a greater attraction towards stimulus. It also happens when you share ideas or attitudes with other people, you can perceive them as "closer to you".

The Repeated exhibition, It means that frequent contact causes greater number of positive evaluations; This if the initial or subsequent evaluation were positive, or not aversive, of course. It happens when, you frequently see a person, who lives in your area every day, although it is a stranger for you, because they have not had other type of social interaction, but it is familiar to you and if you do not find any negative association, There is a perception of proximity to it. This is a resource very helped by advertising.

Likeness

As similarity is perceived with other people, there is a tendency to increase attraction. It happens with people of the same religion, social class, age, but also among people with your same tastes, interests, education and even personality traits, as the attitudinal and personality similarity.

The Theory of cognitive coherence, He says that people are more attracted to those who coincide in attitudes or even behaviors. As those that share principles and values, being the case of members of some particular religion or a social group to which they belong. For example: people who belong to the same religion will find certain similarities with each other, they will share interests or attitudes in common, and although perhaps they do not know many details of each other there is a greater proximity due to similarities, in this case related to activities and beliefs that have in common.

What happens cognitively when someone does not like you but you have to live with them frequently? The Theory of cognitive consistency He affirms that when you spend a lot of time with a person who is unpleasant to you and you cannot avoid contact with her, a cognitive reevaluation is made, where it is more feasible that you can appreciate their talents and virtues, seek similarities, so that in this way You can perceive it as less unpleasant and tolerate it more easily, making the relationship more bearable, it is a way in which your brain seeks to adapt to your context and thus achieve some emotional balance.

Have you heard a father exaggerate about the attributes of his kid? He Affection -centered attraction model, He states that due to the feelings we have towards a person, there is a tendency to have an inclination towards her. It is mainly based on emotional responses and can be observed by attitudinal and behavioral manifestations.

Remember that all these are theories endorsed by a series of sociological investigations, however, they are not a rule for everyone, each person is unique and different, as well as their ways of perceiving reality, of reacting to different circumstances and each person has preferences and personal contexts; However, they are a good reference. I will quote some examples where other personal attraction factors are met, to those mentioned above:

Certain psychological features could make you feel attracted to a certain type of people, although they are not very similar to you, However, some of their characteristics could be complemented with some that you have: when within a couple, one is very good to listen and the other has a constant need to be heard.

There may also be attraction by people who reflect the type of relationship you had in your childhood, a person can search for their main attachment figures in childhood, especially when there is some unresolved conflict. In the same way, you can feel attraction to people who meet the characteristics of your "I ideal".

Socially valued characteristics

The people with pleasant physical appearance They are more attractive, sociocultural factors influence to establish these beauty standards, because what is beautiful for certain people, cultures and even times, is not for others. The good physical appearance is generally associated with good health and makes the person more attractive.

Other highly valued characteristics that attract others are: honesty, understanding, loyalty, empathy, adaptability and positive attitudes.

It has been found that under situations of anxiety and stress, people generally seek social contact, that helps them generate a little less anxiety, because they tend to perceive the event as more “bearable” when anxiety and stress are shared. Therefore, many students often share their fears and concerns before a high -difficulty exam and players of a sports team share their enthusiasm and motivation before an important game.

Conclusion

Interpersonal attraction factors can be affected by stigma and some stereotypes, which make some characteristic as negative in the observed person perceive. We have to go beyond them we do want to achieve a more inclusive society.

Transcultural investigations point out that diversity will continue to have a conflict potential, until they develop ways to improve our tolerance and respect for what is different from ourselves, because The common human tendency is to react positively to what we perceive as similar and negative to what differs from us.

Some simple ways to increase your interpersonal attraction are: smiling, having a good attitude, demonstrating your gratitude and staying “close” to the people you want to attract, demonstrating that you are interested in them and that they are important for you, validating them positively When the occasion merits it, keeping you close when they experience difficult situations, this will generate a feeling of proximity, similarity and reciprocity, this last aspect, it can cause more well -being to be generated, because it is accompanied by a series of prosocial behaviors which can be reinforced one another.

Links

• https: // www.Scientedirect.com/Topics/Neuroscience/Interpersonal-Attraction
• https: // www.Youtube.com/watch?V = 7VZMOF11P9A

Bibliographic references

• Gavira s., AND., Square g., I and López S., M. (2009). Introduction to social psychology. Spain: Editorial Saenz and Torres, S.L.