Discuss five factors that affect interpersonal attraction.

Physical attractiveness: while individuals do not rate this as important, research suggests it does play a major part. People are rated more favourably if with an attractive partner, and photos of attractive people are rated as being more popular.

Proximity: research suggests that one of the best predictors is how close people live to each other. Being in close proximity to someone is likely to promote friendship.

Familiarity: proximity also promotes familiarity and familiarity also increases liking for something or someone.

Similarity: couples tend to have similar interests or outlooks, similar psychological characteristics, e.g. intelligence and physical attributes – assortative mating.

Sense of humor- in another person increases the perceived benefits of a relationship (the pleasant feelings associated with laughter) and decreases the perceived costs (there is less likelihood that the person will become easily offended or burden us with negative emotional reactions).

D. providing for public safety