Disscuss the important factors in development of interpersonal attraction - Essay Example

Factors in Development of Interpersonal Attraction Introduction History of research in field of interpersonal attraction has prospered since 1960s and 70s; in fact, this prosperity was prior to impediment posed by research on the topic of romantic relationship in 1980s (Diamond, Hicks & Otter-Henderson, 2008, 385). Reputation of interpersonal attraction improved through foremost point of evolutionary psychology during the 1900s (Diamond, Hicks & Otter-Henderson, 2008, 385). Furthermore, increased interest in the field of interpersonal attraction led to central research question from preceding decades.

For instance, during the first decade of twenty first century, there was a significant interest in reemergence of interpersonal attraction. This interest was facilitated by an inspiration as a component of power, which established significant dating innovation such as online dating and speed dating. Reemergence of interpersonal attraction was developed upon flourishing literatures, which were aimed at determining prediction based on evolutionary principles (Diamond, Hicks & Otter-Henderson, 2008, 385).

This paper will focus on identifying and discussing significant factors in development of interpersonal attraction. Domain-General Reward Perspectives Psychological research focusing on the field of interpersonal attraction has led to a substantial idea indicating that people are attracted to each other. Apparently, a number of these interpersonal attractions are rewarding to people involved; thus, attitudes towards persons are highly dependent upon the favorability of these attitudes that is focused on rewarding or punishing individuals involved (Conley, 2011, 304).

The perception by numerous scholars focused on influential factors related to interpersonal attraction. For instance, people who portray desired behaviors are rewarded; in fact, they are considered attractive. On the other hand, people who are rewarding them are considered attractive and this result to liking hence forming a basis of understanding the interpersonal attraction involved. Some of the factors affecting interpersonal attraction based on general of reward perspective include; Pleasure Approaches towards physical and psychological pleasure depend on the need for avoiding pain.

In this case, people are bound to approach people that are related to pleasure in the basis of applied attraction domain. However, there are those who portray interpersonal pleasure that is normative; for instance, crucial perspective of interaction with attractive people is considered to be pleasurable (Conley, 2011, 304). Nevertheless, there are liked by people that are considered idiographic. Self-esteem There are other situations where people develop interest surpassing the seeking pleasure; for instance, people there are those, who are focused on attaining high self-esteem.

Therefore, this leads to need for positive self-evaluation, and this is considered a significant way of meeting needs involving interpersonal processes (Leary & Baumeister, 2000, 62). In this case, self-esteem is maintained due to its effects on interpersonal attraction. Belonging Belonging is considered a social process that is met by people in order to deal on the three classic attraction effects that are facilitated by helping people focusing on satisfaction of their need to belong (DeWall, Baumeister & Vohs, 2008, 1367).

In this case, these social processes involve elements such as familiarity, self-disclosure and reduction of anxiety on social basis. Therefore, individuals are highly attracted to others in a situation when they are familiar to them compared to strangers. For instance, there are increased chances of people living in the same proximity being attracted to one another. Consistency Persons aiming at meeting their interpersonal relationship have a significant prominence on consistency; In fact, consistency is defined as motivation to have a conviction that there is a form of internal coherence in terms of thoughts and behaviors (Berscheid & Regan, 2005, 23).

In this case, interpersonal attraction is predicted through a focus on consistency or balance, which is based on evaluation and relations. Self-expansion Self-expansion is a need that has significant influence on interpersonal attraction and it is met through interpersonal relationship. Motivation to expand the potential of efficacy is based on the fundamental theory of self –expansion (Aron, Steele, Kashdan & Perez, 2006, 387). Social relationships are applied in the process of self-expansion; thus, self-expansion leads to a feeling of ownership over other people’s resources, perspectives or identities.

Conclusion The paper has identified factors that in development of interpersonal attraction, whereby factors related to the domain of general reward perspective. In this case, the preceding review offered a significant illustration of this perspective, thereby encompassing a wide range of significant results concerning causes of interpersonal attraction. In fact, this analysis was intended at debating situations under which people are attracted to others. Furthermore, the paper based the discussion on the notion that people can be attracted to others due to their association or due to the need to fulfill their experiences.

References Aron, A., Steele, J., Kashdan, T., & Perez, M., 2006, When similars do not attract: Tests of aprediction from the self-expansion model, Personal Relationships, 13, 387-396. Berscheid, E., & Regan, P., 2005, The psychology of interpersonal relationships, New York: Prentice-Hall Conley, T. D., 2011, Perceived proposer personality characteristics and gender differences inacceptance of casual sex offers, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 309-329. DeWall, C. N., Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D., 2008, Satiated with belongingness?

Effects ofacceptance, rejection, and task framing on self-regulatory performance, Journal of Personalityand Social Psychology, 95, 1367-1382. Diamond, L. M., Hicks, A. M., & Otter-Henderson, K. D., 2008, Every time you go away:Changes in affect, behavior, and physiology associated with travel-related separations fromromantic partners, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 385-403. Leary, M. R., & Baumeister, R. F., 2000, The nature and function of self-esteem: Sociometertheory. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 32, pp. 1-62).

San Diego, CA: Academic Press.