In studies about attraction, it has been found out that people have a tendency to be strongly attracted to look-a-likes in physical and social appearance and to potential partners who, in important domains, are similar to themselves (Lucas, Wendorf, & Imamoglu, 2004). According to the Social Homogamy Theory, we are more likely to select a mate as someone who is very similar to us rather than different. We choose mates within specified sociological categories called "endogamous mate selection norms" within categories of age, race, status, religious affiliations, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
Another theory that supports similarity in attraction is the Wheel Theory by Sociologist Ira Reiss (1980). According to the Wheel Theory of Love,
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Overall, people are more likely to choose partners who are similar to them in terms of demographics, physical appearance, attitudes, interpersonal style, social and cultural background, personality, interests and activities preferences, and communication and social skills. (Lydon, Jamieson & Zanna, 1988)
Similar individuals are deemed attractive because they confirm our beliefs about the world and ourselves. Similarity plays an important role in self-affirmation in that it validates an individual’s ideas, attitudes and personal characteristics (Morry & Gaines, 2005). People want to talk about things that interest them and do things familiar to them. A person who can provide social support by having similar beliefs and values is a likely potential partner. Similarity between partners therefore contributes to satisfaction in the relationship and reduces possible conflicts (Lutz-Zois, Bradley, Mihalik, & Moorman-Eavers,
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During early courtship stages, demographic similarity might be of utmost importance in promoting romantic attraction. Potential partners are screened in terms of their similarity on social attributes, including religion, education, and social class. People who are deemed to be too different with respect to these social attributes are filtered out from the field of potential mates. After evaluating demographic similarity, a value consensus is performed, in which possible partners are evaluated with respect to similarity of attitudes and values. As before, those who are judged to be too dissimilar are filtered out. Although the Filter Theory emphasizes that similarity plays an important role in attraction, it does not disregard the concept of complementarity completely, in fact, it recognizes that complementarity becomes more important as the couple begins to enter more involved stages of courtship. Complementarity with regard to interpersonal styles, compatible traits and behavioral characteristics might become more important in determining whether or not the relationship
"Romantic love has been the norm since eighteenth-century Europe, when we began connecting marriage with romance." If people did not love each other, then there would be no relationship. Sure, they could try to make it happen, but what would be the point of having the relationship in the first place? If they are trying to escape from something and are not actually motivated by love, they are just creating a new entity to eventually want to escape from. Only love will cause people to remain and stay together in a relationship. According to a study done at Grand Valley State University, titled "The Social Psychology of Love and Attraction", it's true that "shared traits including similarity, religion, ethnic group and race were important features of the other person for over half the participants [in the study]. Each of these traits is linked to a commonality in background. People are subconsciously drawn to others who have the same familial background." This study shows that people do consider factors such as race and cultural identity when seeking a potential partner for a relationship. However, the study also shows that the most important factor in attracting a potential mate is personality. The second most is physical attractiveness. These traits are more important in deciding a potential mate than anything
Karbo Karen. "Friendship: The Laws of Attraction." Psychology Today 39.6 (2006): 90-95. EBSCOhost. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
Physical Attractiveness And Courtship. Sexual Behaviour, I, 22-25 Walster, E. (1966) Importance Of Physical Attractiveness In Dating Behaviour. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 4, 508-516 Wilson, G. (1983) QED:The Science Of Sexual Attraction, BBC Television.
A psychological mechanism is defined as an adaptation of human behavior that evolved due to evolutionary pressures. This paper focuses on the psychological mechanism of human mating strategies and the evolution of mate preferences. There are several theories to explain how differences in male and female mating strategies developed. This paper explores the parental investment theory, male mating effort as well as the role of different adaptive problems faced by males and females. The traits that humans find attractive in a partner are the ones that confer a reproductive advantage to the individual (Buss, 1994). Early in the literature there is evidence to support the theory that males and females differ in their mate preferences in such a way that males are unselective while females are choosy (Darwin 1871). However, there are also similarities in what each sex finds attractive. It is important to look at how these mating strategies evolved and why adaptive mate preferences continue to exist.
Truly, a new approach is being introduced, the idea that social conventions dictate the nature of love as we see it, that it all depends on the perspective of a person or a group.
"Triangular Theory of Love." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Mar. 2012. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. .
Although the idea of race is fundamentally a social construct created by people throughout history to identify, and label groupings of specific people, it is still a relevant and controversial topic in today’s society. Especially when focusing on the relational and marital actions between two immensely different races, and how those engaging in such relationship are effected by those close to them. The effect of family, friends, and even strangers in public or online can have an enormous impact on whether the relationship or marriage will be successful, or even determine if it will begin in the first place. For many relationships, we rely on the acceptance of others to be content in our choices,
From my research I have investigated different theories pertaining to this issue. The theory most often noted in this issue is the attraction-similarity model. This theory states that the more similar two individuals are, the higher the attraction between them will be. It is generally uplifting and encouraging meeting others who are like ourselves. For example, befriending someone who has the same interests in music, food, clothing, sports, movies, or books can encourage a lasting friendship. Similarity to others does not only validate our beliefs about the world and ourselves but also creates ag...
The immediate and initial attraction Tom has for Summer is purely aesthetic. He knows nothing about her other than she has the ideal features associated with Tom's opinion of what is physically attractive. The fact that they have similar appearances to each other could be another facet of the attraction. They both have dark brown hair, are near each other in height, and have a similar build and body frame size. Because of the studies conducted by Mackinnon, Jordan, and Wilson in 2011 showed that people are drawn closer to others that have similar features and appearances as them, this has a strong possibility of being a...
Lenton, A. P., & Francesconi, M. (2010). How humans cognitively manage an abundance of mate options. Psychological Science, 21(4), 528-533.
It may seem obvious to some why people mate, however there are many facets to human mating. Psychology has shown that reasons for mating have gone beyond the scope of love and physical attractiveness. People may search for mates who resemble archetypical images of the opposite-sex parent, mates with characteristics that are either complementary or similar to one's own qualities, or mates with whom to make an exchange of valuable resources (Buss 238). Although these theories play a key role in understanding patterns in human mating preferences, evolutionary psychology and sexual selection theory provide more concrete frameworks for explaining human mating.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins,. 349. The. “Psychological Theories About the Dynamics of Love (I).” 01 Mar. 2005 http://psychology.about.com/library/weekly/aa022000a.htm Richmond, Raymond Lloyd.
Close relationships including long term intimate or romantic relationships, involve interdependence, intense feelings, committed intent, and overlapping self-concept. Romantic relationships are different in its involvement of 'passion and exclusive commitment' (Fiske 2004 cited in Ch 28: 429). Certain factors that promote formation of close relationships with like and perhaps love, are similarity, self-disclosure, and proximity. People having similar interests and believes are more likely to like each other, leading to consensual validation, which is a feeling of being validated when others believe in the same things. Where there is space for self-disclosure, to be able to communicate freely with reciprocity, there is a better chance for the relationship to last.
One of the reoccurring themes that became apparent throughout the interview was the concept of relationships, culture and avoidance in dating. Dating is the process whereby two people meet socially for companionships, beyond the level of friendships with the aim for suitability as a partner in an intimate relationships or marriage. The process of dating is impacted by past experiences, family dynamics, cultural, beliefs and customs. These relationships produce a strong connections between family members, education, cultural. The young man, interview #2 stayed away from people from the same culture because, of avoidance of finding a mate similar to his mother. He stated, “I have dated someone form the same culture but,
Bd 3. Kurzban, R., & Weeden, J. (2004, August 24). HurryDate: Mate preferences in action. Retrieved June 9, 2015, from http://www.sas.upenn.edu/psych/PLEEP/pdfs/2005 Kurzban & Weeden EHB.pdf 4.