Interpersonal Attraction as a Function of Attitude Similarity and Aggression
Date
2017-05
Authors
Pacailler, Matthew
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Abstract
The attitude similarity effect is one of the most replicated paradigms of interpersonal attraction. Strangers with similar attitudes are found to be attractive compared to those with dissimilar attitudes. Previous research has found that this phenomenon does not occur with personality traits. Aggression may influence interpersonal attraction in a negative manner. The current study aims to understand if we find similar strangers attractive if they also have aggressive tendencies. 258 undergraduate students took a 14 item attitude survey and Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Attitude similarity was manipulated as similar or dissimilar and aggression was manipulated to be aggressive or non-aggressive. Results suggest that participants prefer a similar and aggressive stranger over a dissimilar and non-aggressive stranger. Future studies may look into mediators of similarity to understand potential reasoning for this occurrence.
Description
Keywords
Attitude similarity, Aggression, Interpersonal attraction, Social psychology
Citation
Pacailler, M. (2017). <i>Interpersonal attraction as a function of attitude similarity and aggression</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.