Physical Attractiveness and Similarity of Attitude in Interpersonal Attraction

Abstract

In a 2 × 2 design, which manipulated physical attractiveness and similarity of attitude, 48 male Ss rated their desire to be a friend of and to date a female. They also rated her on intelligence and popularity. As hypothesized both physical attractiveness and similarity of attitude had significant effects on desired friendship and desired dating. It was further hypothesized that based on the differential closeness of the relationships, an effect of similarity would be observed within the attractiveness conditions on desired dating, while no such effect would be observed on desired friendship. This prediction was confirmed only for the attractive condition. Physical attractiveness and similarity affected popularity as predicted. A significant interaction between similarity and attractiveness was observed on ratings of intelligence.