Which affiliation tendency describes liking people who like you?

Which affiliation tendency describes liking people who like you?

• A. Mere proximity
• B. Reciprocity effect
• C. Perception of similarity
• D. Notion of Cooperation

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is reciprocity—the tendency to like someone who expresses liking for you. When someone signals they like you, it sends a positive social cue: you feel valued and accepted, which makes you respond in kind. This boosts your own positive feelings toward them and often fosters closer connection, lubrication for mutual attraction, and a greater willingness to invest in the relationship. The effect is powerful because it reduces social risk—if someone already likes you, there’s less fear of rejection and more motivation to maintain the positive interaction. Mere proximity involves how often you meet someone, which increases familiarity and can lead to liking, but it’s about exposure, not an act of liking returned. Perception of similarity highlights that we tend to be drawn to people who share traits or values with us. Notion of Cooperation describes liking that can emerge from working together toward a common goal, but it isn’t the specific tendency to reciprocate another person’s liking.

The idea being tested is reciprocity—the tendency to like someone who expresses liking for you. When someone signals they like you, it sends a positive social cue: you feel valued and accepted, which makes you respond in kind. This boosts your own positive feelings toward them and often fosters closer connection, lubrication for mutual attraction, and a greater willingness to invest in the relationship. The effect is powerful because it reduces social risk—if someone already likes you, there’s less fear of rejection and more motivation to maintain the positive interaction.

Mere proximity involves how often you meet someone, which increases familiarity and can lead to liking, but it’s about exposure, not an act of liking returned. Perception of similarity highlights that we tend to be drawn to people who share traits or values with us. Notion of Cooperation describes liking that can emerge from working together toward a common goal, but it isn’t the specific tendency to reciprocate another person’s liking.