A similarity-attraction model for predicting sociometric choice from perceived group structure

A 3-dimensional scaling representation of perceived group structure in a Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit revealed that members were perceived to vary in status, subgroup affiliation, and interest in exercising authority. Within the unit, 45 members rated 19 other members of the unit (stimuli persons). The dimensions were used to predict a friendship choice measure via a linear model and 2 nonlinear, unfolding models suggested by similarity and complementarity-attraction hypotheses. On cross-validation, a nonlinear model, accounting for 50% of the variance, outpredicted the linear model. Choice models indicated that Ss preferred high-status friends but chose those like themselves in subgroup affiliation. Vietnam "hawks," those least influenced to join by the draft, and those most interested in exercising authority preferred friends interested in exercising authority. Results support the similarity-attraction hypothesis. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).