The similarity-attraction link: sequential versus parallel multiple-mediator models involving inferred attraction, respect, and positive affect

Abstract

The authors tested the hypothesis that the attitude similarity effect also spreads sequentially through the mediators of positive affect, respect, and inferred attraction to interpersonal attraction. In Experiment 1, participants received information about a partner's similar or dissimilar attitudes and reported only one of the three mediators before attraction. The similarity-attraction link was mediated by positive affect or respect but more strongly by inferred attraction. In Experiment 2, the three mediators were measured in six different orders. Results falsified parallel and combined parallel-sequential multiple-mediator models and two of the fully sequential multiple-mediator models but supported four fully-sequential models that were consistent with the affect-centered and affect primacy hypotheses.