Which option represents a factor associated with affiliation tendency?

Which option represents a factor associated with affiliation tendency?

• A. Reciprocity effect
• B. Perceptions of similarity
• C. Notion of cooperation
• D. Mere proximity

Answer: (D)

Affiliation tendency grows from opportunities to interact with others. When people are near each other, they see and talk with one another more often, creating familiarity, trust, and the chance to form friendships or group bonds. This is why proximity—being physically close—is the strongest driver of affiliative ties: it first enables contact, and repeated encounters boost liking through the mere exposure effect. Reciprocity, perceived similarity, and cooperation play roles in relationship development, but they depend on having ongoing interactions in the first place. Proximity provides that initial, reliable pathway to affiliative connections.

Affiliation tendency grows from opportunities to interact with others. When people are near each other, they see and talk with one another more often, creating familiarity, trust, and the chance to form friendships or group bonds. This is why proximity—being physically close—is the strongest driver of affiliative ties: it first enables contact, and repeated encounters boost liking through the mere exposure effect.

Reciprocity, perceived similarity, and cooperation play roles in relationship development, but they depend on having ongoing interactions in the first place. Proximity provides that initial, reliable pathway to affiliative connections.