Investigating the relationship between behavioral synchrony and dimensions of interpersonal attraction: Why task attraction rises above the others.

Abstract

This study explored the association between interpersonal attraction and behavioral synchrony among previously unacquainted pairs. Behavioral synchrony represents mutually attuned movement that occurs between individuals during dyadic engagement. Although previous research has found a positive link between these variables, the key dimension of interpersonal attraction that may be driving this relationship has yet to be identified. Young adult participants who were previously unacquainted were randomly paired to interact in an environment that emulated speed dating. Following the interaction, participants individually completed an inventory of their attraction to one another. Researchers observed their interactions and coded for synchronous behavior. Results supported only a significant relationship between task attraction (the degree to which an individual is evaluated as facilitative in goal achievement) and behavioral synchrony. This relationship persisted even when controlling for the other dimensions of interpersonal attraction: physical attraction and social attraction. By isolating task attraction as the single dimension positively associated with behavioral synchrony, this study distinguishes a possible key underlying motive (i.e., goal attainment) for a previously supported relationship to interpersonal attraction. These findings provide support for the newly proposed, unifying theory of interpersonal attraction guided by instrumentality.

Validity of The Party Exercise for Determining Holland Codes

“…Social attraction among members of the same sex for friendship is often based on similarity, but attraction for the purposes of a romantic/intimate relationship may be based on compatibility such that “opposites attract.” For example, an aggressive person may be attracted to and partner better with a passive person and vice versa (Dryer & Horowitz, 1997). Moreover, complementary needs or task attraction—the degree to which the other individual is perceived as potentially helpful to one's goal—has been found to potentially outweigh other variables (Kurtz et al, 2019). Thus, who a college‐age individual imagines they would want to socialize with at a party may very well depend on their imagined goals.…”

How and Why People Synchronize: An Integrated Perspective

“…In a "speed-dating" study, pairs of strangers told each other stories about themselves and human judges then rated the amount of global behavioral synchrony the pairs exhibited (F. B. Kurtz et al, 2019). Behavioral synchrony predicted partners' task-based attraction to each other (e.g., "If I wanted to get things done, I could probably depend on him/her") but not their social or physical attraction to each other.…”