Abstract
40 subjects viewed 55-sec. head and shoulder color film strips of a stimulus person. The 35 observer-response variables to the question “Why would you like (not like) to get to know this person?” fell into four categories: Physical characteristics, Observed behavior, Inferred behavior, and Ascribed personality characteristics. Physical characteristics and observed behavior were cited with greater frequency than were inferred behavior and ascribed personality characteristics. The frequency of positive and negative responses to physical characteristics and positive responses to observed and inferred behavior were significantly related to the attraction response. There was no significant relation between ascribed personality characteristics and the attraction response. Findings are discussed with respect to their bearing on person-perception methodology, interpersonal attraction over a time span, and an hypothesis regarding anticipation of rewards.
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