Abstract
Previous research has shown a strong relationship between attitude similarity and interpersonal attraction. Two interpretations of this relationship have been suggested: (1) Similar attitudes are directly rewarding, and we like those who reward us; and (2) attraction for self is inferred on the basis of attitude similarity, and we like those who like us. The present experiment demonstrated that Ss do assume they are liked more by similar others than by dissimilar others, thus supporting the second interpretation above. Since it is not clear, however, whether S’s inference of liking for himself by the similar other preceded his liking for the other, the results do not eliminate the first interpretation of the similarity-attraction relationship. It is possible that attitude similarity leads S to simultaneous liking for the other and inference of liking for self.
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McWhirter, R.M., Jecker, J.D. Attitude similarity and inferred attraction. Psychon Sci 7, 225–226 (1967). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328552
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328552