Contrast effects of background factors on the similarity-attraction relationship.

Abstract

Tested the effects of exposure to a bogus stranger exhibiting 1 of 3 different degrees of attitude similarity (90, 50, or 10%) on perceived similarity and attraction to a 2nd stranger expressing a medium (50%) degree of attitude similarity. Perceived similarity and attraction to the 2nd stranger were inversely related to the degree of attitude similarity of the 1st stranger experienced by the 16 male and 17 female undergraduates. Findings confirm the adaptation-level prediction of "perceptual contrast" and support the notion that perceptual or judgmental processes mediate the "sequence effects" on attraction. Data are also interpreted as supportive of J. Thibaut and H. Kelley's (see PA, Vol. 34:4214) theory of social exchange. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)