Much of social psychology concerns itself with the interactions within and among social groups, but another topic is how we form one-to-one relationships, especially our choices of sexual partners and wives. Among the many aspects related to interpersonal relationships is attraction – what attracts people together in the first instance. From an evolutionary perspective, attraction is driven by the need to choose a mate who would produce fitter, healthier children, and is primarily physical in nature.
According to research conducted by social psychologists, there are many social factors that contribute to the attraction between two people. Contrary to what you might think, it’s not just about how much they look alike; it’s also about their shared values and beliefs. People attracted to each other often share similar interests, tastes, and social standings. From these initial feelings of attraction comes the desire to get to know each other better, which eventually leads to romantic love. Other types of relationships include companionate love (between friends), and fatuous love (beneath contempt).
