Law of Attraction

Explanations > Theories > Law of Attraction

Description | Research | Example | So What? | See also | References 

Description

The more we have similar attitudes to other people, the more we are attracted by them. This is a pretty linear relationship. 'Birds of a feather flock together' much more than 'Opposites attract'.

Research

Byrne (1971) asked people to complete a questionnaire on their personal characteristics. The people were then shown (fabricated) descriptions of a range of different people and asked how they felt towards them. Those with characteristics similar to the person being studied were rated as more attractive. 

Example

Professional societies, religious groups, sports clubs. All are opportunities for birds of a feather to find one another.

So what?

Using it

Assume the attitudes of the person you are trying to persuade.

Defending

Notice who you like. Notice the similarity of your and their attitudes. Now notice what they may have to gain from this similarity.

See also

Love, Matching Hypothesis, Repulsion Hypothesis

References

Byrne (1971)

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