| Abstract: | Research on interpersonal attraction has repeatedly demonstrated that people are more attracted to similar others. In the present article, our goal is to show that this similar-attraction relationship is moderated by people's current level of self-categorization. Students were required to constitute work groups by selecting five classmates who shared to varying degrees similar attitudes. Under standard conditions (no group salience) participants' choice supported the similar-attraction relationship. However, when implicitly reminded of their gender identity, participants did not show anymore attraction to others who shared more similar attitudes. The results are discussed in terms of the self-categorization theory and suggestions are made to distinguish between two forms of attraction: interpersonal attraction and social attraction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
