Reactions to individuals who are consistently positive or negative: The impact of differing interaction goals.

Exposed 191 undergraduates to 1 of 2 interaction goals, and examined their attraction to interaction partners who differed in valence and variability. Ss evaluated the desirability of potential interaction partners who were positive vs negative in their evaluations of people and objects, and who exhibited high vs low variability in their evaluations. Also, the S's interaction goal was manipulated: Half of the Ss were led to desire self-enhancement or to receive information increasing their self-regard; the other half were led to desire cognitive clarity or to receive information to increase their accurate understanding of everyday experiences. Consistent with predictions, Ss were more attracted to interaction partners who were positive and highly variable. Thus, in everyday life, interpersonal goals and needs are frequently a blend of the needs for approval and knowledge.

Duke Scholars

Author Isaac Marcelo Lipkus School of Nursing