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

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Robert Böhm - , University of Erfurt (Author)
  • Astrid Schütz - , Chemnitz University of Technology (Author)
  • Katrin Rentzsch - , Chemnitz University of Technology (Author)
  • André Körner - , Chemnitz University of Technology (Author)
  • Friedrich Funke - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)

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

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)431-438
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Positive Psychology
Volume5
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2010
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

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

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

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

Library keywords