Similarity-attraction across ethnic, religious, and political groups: does celebrating differences or similarities make a difference?

Abstract

Extensive research supports a positive association between similarity and attraction at the inter-personal level; the very limited research at the intergroup level is also supportive. In the context of increasing diversity in major societies, alternative diversity management approaches give priority to celebrating differences versus celebrating similarities. We tested to see if similarity-attraction at the intergroup level remains robust in conditions of celebrating differences versus similarities in four studies with ethnic (Study 1, N = 231; Study 2, N = 823), religious (Study 3, N = 1,004), and political (Study 4, N = 606) groups. Study 1 confirmed that participants wanted closer contact with others who they see as more similar. Studies 2, 3, and 4 largely replicated this pattern and found no differences across conditions celebrating differences or similarities between groups. In line with similarity-attraction theory, most group members preferred contact with similar others, both when intergroup differences and similarities were celebrated. The findings are discussed in the context of debates about diversity management policies.