Final answer:
We find similar people attractive due to homophily, a preference for forming bonds with those who share common characteristics. The matching hypothesis also states we often choose partners of similar levels of attractiveness and desirability to ourselves. Evolutionary and cultural factors like sexual selection have further influenced these preferences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientists believe we find similar people attractive due to a concept known as homophily. This tendency compels people to form social networks with others who share common backgrounds, attitudes, and lifestyles. Shared characteristics and behaviors also align with our DNA, as individuals within the same species have the highest level of DNA alignment, influencing our attraction to others who are similar to us.
Physical attractiveness is indeed a factor in how we choose our friends and lovers, with certain universally attractive traits documented across cultures. However, we also consider social traits, like warmth and social skills in females, and achievement and leadership qualities in males. Additionally, the matching hypothesis suggests that we tend to select partners whose level of physical attractiveness and social desirability matches our own.
Our preferences and attractions are not only influenced by immediate physical and social factors, but also by long-term evolutionary forces such as sexual selection, which shaped our physical characteristics to conform to regional standards of beauty. In this way, our attractions are deeply rooted in both biological propensities and cultural influences that have evolved over time.