Communicative influences on perceived similarity and attraction: An expansion of the interpersonal goals perspective

Recent research on interpersonal goals in communicative relationships indicates that the previously accepted positive association between attitude similarity and attraction is absent in beginning acquaintance. This interpersonal goals research manipulates attitude similarity by revealing attitudinal information about partners during preacquaintance. Subsequent normal conversations appear to overcome the positive preacquaintance similarity/attraction association. Claims about the demise of this association may be premature, however, given these methods. Some research suggests that information available during initial conversations may strongly influence perceptions of attitude similarity. If so, a potential initial acquaintance association between perceived similarity and attraction may be present, though undetected, in previous interpersonal goals research. The current study examines this possibility and finds support for interpersonal goals claims regarding the perceived similarity/attraction relationship.