Discuss the three primary factors influencing relationship development and provide examples

What will be an ideal response?

The three primary factors influencing relationship development are proximity, physical attractiveness, and similarity. First, proximity, or physical closeness to an individual, is an important factor influencing relational development because it gives individuals access to each other. Further, proximity allows individuals to notice each other, explore attractive qualities, and learn about similarities that lead to further conversations. With technology, proximity might not be as important in maintaining relationships because people can maintain their relationships online. However, proximity is influential in relationships overall because it is much easier to come in contact with people who are near to us physically. For example, I know that I would not have met many of my childhood friends if we had not lived near each other and attended the same school.

We also are most attracted to people who are of a similar level of physical attractiveness as described by the matching hypothesis. However, we also use communication to determine other nonphysically attractive qualities and are attracted based on personalities as well. For example, it is not uncommon for people to have similarly attractive romantic partners and if partners are not similar, usually people comment that there is another attractive quality that explains why the relationship continues. Also, movie stars who are seen by society as very attractive tend to have relationships with other very attractive individuals.

Finally, similarity is also influential in relationship development, with individuals generally liking others who share similar interests. Although opposites sometimes do attract, research shows that birds of a feather stick together. For example, most of my friends enjoy the same activities and interests that I do, allowing us to spend time together.