Final answer:
The major factors involved in forming relationships and selecting mates are proximity and similarity. Proximity refers to having regular contact with people, while similarity relates to shared values and interests. Opposites do not attract, and we are more likely to be drawn to those who are most like us.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major factors involved in forming relationships and selecting mates are proximity and similarity. Proximity refers to the concept that we are more likely to form relationships with people we have regular contact with, such as those who live in our dorms, apartment buildings, or immediate neighborhoods. Similarity means that we are more likely to be friends or lovers with someone who is similar to us in background, attitudes, and lifestyle.
Being attracted to people who are similar to us makes it easier to get along and form connections, as shared interests and preferences make spending time together more enjoyable. Research has shown that there is no evidence for the idea that opposites attract. Instead, we are drawn to individuals who are most like us.
For example, in a survey mentioned in the text, a majority of people from different ethnicities expressed willingness to welcome individuals from other ethnicities into their families, indicating that similarity is not limited to superficial characteristics but extends to cultural and social values as well.