Scientific Investigation Of Interpersonal Attraction Definition

Interpersonal attraction is a positive emotional evaluation of the opposite

person that can encourage the formation of a romantic relationship or even
friendship. It is perceived in various forms such as physical attractiveness,
similarities in personal characters, and many more.

Overview Of Scientific Investigation Of Interpersonal Attraction

It is a part of social psychology. Interpersonal attraction is measured on

three attributes:

• Behaviour

• Cognitive

• Affective

All these three attitudes of a person determine the degree of attraction. The
behavioral attitude can describe the ease of approach to the person. In
cognitive attitude, one might evaluate the positive beliefs of a person. While
in affective attitude, the positive feeling or affinity of a person is
measured.Researchers from social scientific backgrounds have been
studying these principles since the 1900s.

Measurement of interpersonal attraction:

In Interpersonal Attraction Judgment Scale, the subject evaluated and rated

their partner to be on factors like adjustment, intelligence, desirability as a
work partner, knowledge of current events, and likability. This scale is
known to be in direct association with other aspects of social attraction like
the sex partner, social choice, number of times of eye contact, feelings for
a date, and voluntary physical closeness,etc. Kiesler along with Goldberg
was the first to analyze a broad range of responses that were used as
measures of attraction. This response highlighted two aspects:

• Socioemotional factors like liking, the desirability of the person's interest

in parties and social clubs, and organizing a gettogether such as lunch.

• Interests and opinions on different topics, such as political, music,

technology, etc.

People who share important attitudes like being career-oriented or being

a family person are likely to be attracted than those who share less
important attitudes. Berscheid and Reis stated that in 1998 a great
proportion of this effect is affected by those who share similar attitudes.
Many times, the attitudes that are shared are of less importance than
those who perceived the shared attitudes. Similarities in education,
liking, ethical backgrounds are known to be comment attraction. The
attraction is evident in between those who take care of the
complementary needs of each other. The results from this research
suggest that under certain circumstances where the relation is not sure,
people tend to have an affinity towards those who share similar traits.
On the other hand, when individuals are confident that the relationship is
possible, similarity plays an important role. This was suggested by Aron
and Aron too in 1997.