Attachment as a Predictor of Initial Attraction across Western and Chinese Cultures

How universal is attachment in predicting initial attraction? Men high in avoidant attachment are perceived as low in attractiveness by women in Western cultures, but it is unknown whether this effect occurs in other cultures. Some of the behaviours associated with avoidant attachment for example, emotional self-disclosure, are valued differently across cultures, thus it seems likely that culture might moderate attraction. The current study assessed initial attraction using a speed-dating paradigm amongst Chinese and Western young adults. Participants (N = 93) completed an online assessment of attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and cultural identification. Thereafter, participants attended a speed-dating session where they met three to eight partners of the opposite gender. It was hypothesised that high attachment avoidance and high attachment anxiety of the partner would predict lower attraction of the actor, and culture would moderate these effects. Results indicated that high attachment avoidance of both men and women, predicted lower attraction of women. Results also found that high attachment anxiety of men predicted higher attraction of women. This was however moderated by culture, such that relative to Chinese women, Western women rated men high on attachment anxiety as lower in attraction. Only physical attractiveness of the women predicted higher attraction of men. Implications and directions for future research are discussed