Five years from now, the majority of us will be done with this chapter in our life, and potentially have moved on to the years where we may begin to settle down. If you don't want to be that crazy cat lady, I think it will be helpful to remember these concepts about attraction. Potential mates are often first feeling the attraction thanks to physical attraction based on symmetry, youth, healthiness and an average face. Other factors that play a large contributing factor are reciprocity, similarity, and proximity.
Proximity is the physical nearness factor that affects attraction. This may seem like common sense, as it is difficult to foster a long distance relationship. Who knows, that guy you sit next to in Psychology discussion may turn into the guy working out of the cubicle next to you. 
Similarity is also a solid predictor of attraction. Having things in common leads to similarity. For example, shared interest in the Gophers now may continue throughout your adult life, or possibly ten years down the road you will become an avid Vikings fan and meet the mate of your dreams there.
Proximity also plays a role in attraction. Nobody likes a moocher, so equal give and take is necessary in any healthy relationship.
These are a brief overview of a few concepts that I think I will remember 5 years down the road. You too should remember them, and they just might be the reason you find the person of your dreams!
Crazy Cat Lady
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I totally agree with your blog. I and my girlfriend are in long distance relationship. She is younger than me, healthy, and beautiful. Also, we have many other similarities. However, I am sure that the relationship is getting harder and difficult to keep since we have started the long distance relationship. From my perspective, proximity is the MOST IMPORTANT factor compare to other factors.
I believe when you said proximity, you meant reciprocity as the last of the attraction predictors. Anyway, I think that all of these are important for the formation of a realistic relationship. Someone you are around frequently, someone who you have similarities with, and someone who gives and receives equal amounts of praise to and from their mate. It is important to maintain most of these predictors for at least a bit of the time to have a truly successful relationship.
This is a really interesting and embracing blog. I agree with you that I will always remember the main ways of attractiveness. I never knew similarity or proximity could be so influential to someone being attracted to another. I think all students in this class will remember the key concepts of attraction and hope someday we will all meet the love of our life. Who knows, maybe you will meet your love of your life through one of these main concepts of attraction!
This portion of the semester when learning about attraction was very interesting to me because people always think otherwise that there aren't any factors other than physical attraction obviously play a role. It is good to know this information!
This is a very interesting blog. I really like this topic. It's fascinating to know that how people tend to be attractive by others. But I think your mention people should equally give and take in a relationship. That is reciprocity.
This is a very interesting topic that we learned in Psy 1001. I have seen the three rules of attraction, proximity, similarity, and reciprocity, play out in my life and the lives of my friends and family. I think it is interesting to look at a relationship, maybe your cousin who just got married, and think about how these three rules were a factor in the successful relationship.
I really like this blog!
When I was in high school, my girl friend was one whom I always looking for. However, as I became college stduent and our relationship became long-distance, she and I found that it is difficult to keep our relation.
As proximity is one of the important facts that affect attraction, I would find my future girl friend around me, not far from where I am.
Thank you for providing a brief overview of some of these terms. You did a very good job of giving examples that I could relate to. I don't doubt that you will be remembering these for the next 5 years as they will most likely affect everyday of your life. I see these items as having a great affect in my life as well. I'm going to be studying abroad next semester and one of the most common thoughts running through my head lately is proximity. I feel like being away from my family for so long will affect my happiness while abroad.
Good application of attraction. I assume you mean reciprocity for the last one?
replied to comment from Julia Manor
| April 30, 2012 8:51 AM
| Reply
Yes, my bad. The last part is about reciprocity.
I can definitely relate to the things that you mentioned. I think that for everyone, you never know who the person will be that ends up being the love of your life. I know many people in my life that have gotten together from random things that they are involved in and end up getting to know that they have very similar interests. In the end, you never know how you will meet your potential girlfriend/boyfriend but it isn't always about looks that will bring two people together.
I found myself relating with this section of our reading and being able to tie in what I was learning from the book with my own personal relationships and experiences! I find proximity being a leading factor for many of the relationships and friendships in my life along with similarity.
I really like this blog post. I will definitely be remembering all of the keys to a healthy relationship so I don't turn out a crazy cat lady in the next chapter of my life! I also found the portion of psychology interesting when we learned about what makes people attracted to others and how people end up forming relationships. The part about the symmetry of faces, pupil size, and ovulation was an interesting concept to learn about, especially at this age of our lives.