Topic Importance and Assumed Similarity

The researcher explored the effect of topic importance on the relationship between assumed similarity and interpersonal attraction. Past research suggests that the effect emerges when the similarities of important and unimportant items differ, and that there are no effects under other conditions. One explanation is that the assumed similarity mediates attraction. Seventy six male and seventy two female students in Exp.1 and sixty eight female students attending a Nursing College in Exp.2 participated in the experiments. They were asked to evaluate individuals whose attitudes were similar to their own in half of the items and dissimilar in the remaining with regard to interpersonal attraction and assumed similarity. The results imply that interpersonal attraction is highest in the similar-important condition, and that it is lowest in the similar-unimportant condition. There were no differences between important attitude only and unimportant attitude only conditions. Comparable results were obtained in assumed similarity. However, there is no support of the hypothesis that assumed similarity mediates interpersonal attraction.