Final answer:
The cliché 'familiarity breeds contempt' contradicts the proximity principle of interpersonal attraction, which states that people are more likely to form relationships with those they see often.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cliché “familiarity breeds contempt” suggests that the more we know someone, the more likely we are to find faults and grow tired of them. This idea seems to contradict the concept of proximity as one of the rules of interpersonal attraction. Proximity, the physical nearness to someone, is cited by numerous studies as a significant factor in forming relationships. People tend to form bonds with those they come into contact with frequently, such as neighbors or co-workers because it is easier to get to know them.
However, the cliché implies that increased contact can lead to negative feelings, while the proximity principle in attraction indicates that it often leads to positive relationships. Proximity refers to the idea that people are more likely to form relationships with individuals they have regular contact with, such as classmates, coworkers, or neighbors. The cliché suggests that the more familiar we become with someone, the less we like or respect them, which goes against the concept of proximity.