IndexAbstractIntroductionTheories of interpersonal attractionSocial exchange theoryEquity theory of interpersonal attractionEvolutionary theory of interpersonal attractionAttachment theory or interpersonal attractionConclusionAbstractThis article compares and critically evaluates four theories of interpersonal attraction . The four theories of interpersonal attraction are: social exchange theory, equity theory, evolutionary theory, and attachment theory. At the end of the article a conclusion is drawn based on the comparison and critical evaluation of the four theories of interpersonal attraction. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Introduction Interpersonal attraction theories are the theories of social psychology that attempt to explain the phenomenon of interpersonal attraction. These theories try to explain what really causes attraction between people. Although scholars of interpersonal attraction largely agree that the factors of closeness, similarity, mutual liking, and physical attractiveness influence interpersonal attraction, scholars, however, differ on what actually causes interpersonal attraction. Therefore, different scholars have developed different theories in an attempt to explain this phenomenon of interpersonal attraction. This article compares and critically evaluates four of these theories of interpersonal attraction. These theories are: Social Exchange Theory, Equity Theory, Evolutionary Theory, and Attachment Theory. At the end of the article a conclusion is drawn based on the comparison and critical evaluation of the four theories of interpersonal attraction. Theories of Interpersonal Attraction Social Exchange Theory Social exchange theory states that how people feel and how satisfied they are in a relationship depends on their understanding of the benefits and costs of the relationship, the type of relationship they believe in that they deserve or expect to have (the comparison level) and their chances of having a more satisfying relationship with a different person (the comparison level of alternatives) ( What are the factors underlying interpersonal attraction? This means that primary motivation in interpersonal attraction is the benefit one expects to derive from the other person in a relationship; and the determining factor of contentment in a relationship depends on a person's conception of the type of relationship he or she is worth or deserving of and the alternatives available for the person to have a relationship with other people (the level of comparison of alternatives). The social exchange theory of interpersonal attraction is supported by numerous social psychology scholars. To begin with, Newcomb argues that we acquire favorable or unfavorable attitudes toward other people when we are rewarded or punished by them (Newcomb, 1956). On the other hand, Aronson argues that we are normally attracted to other people whose behavior is more rewarding for us (Aronson, 1969). Walster argued that individuals like those who reward them (Walster, 1971), while Levinger and Snoek stated that liking others emerges from the rewards we obtain from people. Simply put, the social exchange theory of interpersonal attraction holds that all forms of interpersonal attraction can be attributed to the gains or benefits one expects to derive from one's object of attraction, i.e., the person from whom one is attracted. is attracted. But a critical look at this view compared to other theories of interpersonal attraction shows that this theory is inpart true but does not completely explain the phenomenon of interpersonal attraction. This is because there is more motivation to interpersonal attraction than just the direct reward you hope to gain from the relationship. For example, as the theory of evolution argues, our behavior in interpersonal attraction can be explained by our adaptations in the process of human evolution. This will become clearer when we examine the evolutionary theory of interpersonal attraction. The second weakness of this theory is the assumption that reward is the sole motivator of interpersonal attraction. But this is evidently not true because there are some forms of interpersonal attraction that are motivated by Agape love (Interpersonal Attraction, Web.). Agape is a selfless love and therefore in agape love one is attracted or drawn towards the other person not out of expectation of reward or gain, but out of pure love, agape. This fact therefore shows that social exchange theory is not sufficient to explain all forms of interpersonal attraction. Equity Theory of Interpersonal Attraction The equity theory of interpersonal attraction is closely related to the interpersonal attraction theory of social exchange, but there are some key differences between the two theories of interpersonal interaction. For example, while the social exchange theory of interpersonal attraction holds that the main determinant of happiness in a relationship is the reward one gets from the relationship, the type of relationship the person believes he or she deserves, and his or her chances of having a relationship . with someone else, the equity theory of interpersonal attraction holds that the primary determinant of happiness in a relationship is the balance between the rewards, costs, and contributions of the two partners in a relationship. According to the equity theory of interpersonal attraction, there should always be a balance, a rough balance, between the rewards and costs experienced in a relationship and the contributions one makes in a relationship, and the rewards and costs experienced by the other . partner in the relationship and the contributions made by this other person in the relationship. According to this theory, therefore, parties in a relationship should always seek to ensure that there is a balance between their contributions in the relationship and the gains and costs that each of them experiences in the relationship. Both those who are more than advantaged in a relationship should try to restore this balance in case of imbalance in the relationship. According to this theory therefore, there will always be attraction between partners in a relationship when this balance is maintained and the relationship becomes stronger and stronger. As can be clearly seen, this theory is also based on the reward that is expected in a relationship, although the exchange reward theory takes a different perspective, that is, the balance between the contributions, earnings and rewards that the parties they experience in a relationship. And just like the social exchange theory of interpersonal attraction, this theory is only partially true and does not explain the entire phenomenon of interpersonal attraction. The theory does not explain interpersonal attractions motivated by Agape love. The theory also does not explain some forms of interpersonal behavior motivated by our adaptive behavior that we have acquired in the process of human evolution. Once again, this theory does not take into account some forms of interpersonal attraction motivated by our attitudes and behaviors developed during childhood socialization. This is clearly explained by the attachment theory of interpersonal attraction (Bowlby, 1969). Another major weakness of the equity theory of interpersonal attraction is the assumption that.