Similarity-Attraction

Similarity-attraction is popularly described by the saying “birds of a feather flock together,” and can also be known as homophily—the desire to engage with similar others. People who are similar to one another are more likely to be found in one another’s company and more interested in further contact after they have met one another. The effect is prominent throughout human societies and is likely to have an important influence on the way that people behave socially and politically, especially given that this effect is bidirectional; as well as being attracted to those with whom we share traits, our behaviors and attitudes are likely over time to converge with those of the people around us. This can lead to a gradual attitudinal isolation of particular ...