You\u27re like Me and I Like You: Variables Mediating the Similarity-Attraction Link in a Social Interaction Study

Countless studies have supported the hypothesis that similarity and attraction have a strong and positive relationship. Few studies, however, have examined through what processes this relationship can be explained. This study attempted to examine the role of five of these potential mechanisms: consensual validation, cognitive evaluation, certainty of being liked, fun and enjoyment, and perceived self-expansion opportunity. These variables were examined using the bogus stranger and social interaction paradigms and were tested in three models: actual similarity to a bogus partner and reported attraction (before an interaction), perceived similarity to the partner and reported attraction (both before an interaction), and perceived similarity to the partner and reported attraction (both after an interaction). Though there were many other significant relationships, only fun and enjoyment was identified as a significant mediator of the similarity-attraction relationship across all of the models. The smaller sample size could have contributed to the other potential mediators\u27 lack of success, as statistical power was low. The results of this study add another building block to our understanding of the tried and true relationship between similarity and attraction