Popular Wisdom Is Often Contradictory, as with the Following Two

question 44

Multiple Choice

Popular wisdom is often contradictory, as with the following two sayings: 1) "opposites attract" and 2) "birds of a feather flock together." Research on the relationship between similarity and liking suggests that

• A) #1 is more accurate; people tend to be more attracted to those who are dissimilar from themselves.
• B) #2 is more accurate; people tend to be more attracted to those who are similar to themselves.
• C) both are right for different people; heterosexual men tend to be attracted to similar others whereas gay men tend to be attracted to dissimilar others.
• D) both are right in different conditions; people are attracted to similar others when they are interested in long-term relationships, but they prefer dissimilar others for less serious relationships without commitment.

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Definitions:

Sexual Frequency

A term that refers to the number of times sexual activity occurs within a specific time period.

Independent Variable

In an experiment, a factor that can be manipulated or changed.

Dependent Variable

In an experiment, a factor that is likely to be affected by changes in the independent variable.