Are we looking for positivity or similarity in a partner's outlook on life? Similarity predicts perceptions of social attractiveness and relationship quality

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Robert Böhm - , Universität Erfurt (Autor:in)
  • Astrid Schütz - , Technische Universität Chemnitz (Autor:in)
  • Katrin Rentzsch - , Technische Universität Chemnitz (Autor:in)
  • André Körner - , Technische Universität Chemnitz (Autor:in)
  • Friedrich Funke - , Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Autor:in)

Abstract

Previous research has shown that people with an optimistic life orientation are perceived as socially more attractive than pessimists. However, following the similarity-attraction hypothesis, we assumed that both the perceiver's and the target's life orientation affects perceptions of social attractiveness. Moreover, we were interested in how the composition of romantic partners' life orientation (similar vs. dissimilar) affects perceived relationship quality. The results of an experimental online study (N=316) confirmed previous findings: Overall, optimists were perceived as socially more attractive than pessimists. Furthermore, perceivers' life orientation moderated that effect, which was larger with optimistic than with pessimistic perceivers. Moreover, with respect to ongoing relationships optimistic participants indicated higher relationship quality if they perceived their partners as similarly optimistic. The findings are in line with the similarity-attraction hypothesis. They are discussed with regard to the benefits of optimism in social interactions and relationships.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)431-438
Seitenumfang8
FachzeitschriftJournal of Positive Psychology
Jahrgang5
Ausgabenummer6
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Nov. 2010
Peer-Review-StatusJa
Extern publiziertJa

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-3731-9798/work/142249632
WOS 000291744900002

Schlagworte

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • Attractiveness, Optimism, Pessimism, Relationships, Similarity, Social perception

Bibliotheksschlagworte