ATTRACTION TO A GROUP AS A FUNCTION OF ATTITUDE SIMILARITY AND GEOGRAPHIC DISTANCE

Attraction toward a group was investigated as a function of attitude similarity and perceived geographic distance. Students (n = 60), divided into four groups, received similar or dissimilar attitude statements attributed to a near or distant group. The effects of attitude similarity were strongly significant (p<.0001). Attraction scores were high toward a similar attitude group and low toward a dissimilar attitude group. A similar group was also evaluated more positively on measures of intelligence, knowledge of current events and adjustment. Distance had no significant effect on attraction and limit ed effect on evaluations.