Advanced search
Publication Cover
Communication Monographs Volume 59, 1992 - Issue 3
Submit an article Journal homepage
372
Views
79
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

A new look at similarity and attraction in marriage: Similarities in social‐cognitive and communication skills as predictors of attraction and satisfaction

Brant R. Burleson Professor in the Department of Communication, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
&
Wayne H. Denton Assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston‐Salem, NC, 27157
Pages 268-287 | Published online: 02 Jun 2009

Citations (79)

Keep up to date with the latest research on this topic with citation updates for this article.

Subscribe to citation updates

Read on this site (22)

Carrie D. Kennedy-Lightsey, Matthew M. Martin, Sara LaBelle & Keith Weber. (2015) Attachment, Identity Gaps, and Communication and Relational Outcomes in Marital Couples’ Public Performances. Journal of Family Communication 15:3, pages 232-248.
Read now
Katherine E. Forsythe & Andrew M. Ledbetter. (2015) Relational Uncertainty, Self-Other Inclusion, and Communication Satisfaction as Predictors of Friendship Relational Maintenance, and How Equity Changes the Story. Communication Studies 66:3, pages 321-340.
Read now
AndrewM. Ledbetter. (2014) Online Communication Attitude Similarity in Romantic Dyads: Predicting Couples' Frequency of E-Mail, Instant Messaging, and Social Networking Site Communication. Communication Quarterly 62:2, pages 233-252.
Read now
Harry Weger$suffix/text()$suffix/text(), Gina Castle Bell, Elizabeth M. Minei & Melissa C. Robinson. (2014) The Relative Effectiveness of Active Listening in Initial Interactions. International Journal of Listening 28:1, pages 13-31.
Read now
Susan Sprecher. (2014) Effects of Actual (Manipulated) and Perceived Similarity on Liking in Get-acquainted Interactions: The Role of Communication. Communication Monographs 81:1, pages 4-27.
Read now
KevinB. Wright. (2012) Emotional Support and Perceived Stress Among College Students Using Facebook.com: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Source Perceptions and Emotional Support. Communication Research Reports 29:3, pages 175-184.
Read now
Katie Neary Dunleavy, Melissa Bekelja Wanzer, Elyse Krezmien & Kim Ruppel. (2011) Daughters' Perceptions of Communication with Their Fathers: The Role of Skill Similarity and Co-Orientation in Relationship Satisfaction. Communication Studies 62:5, pages 581-596.
Read now
Analisa Arroyo & Chris Segrin. (2011) The Relationship between Self- and Other-Perceptions of Communication Competence and Friendship Quality. Communication Studies 62:5, pages 547-562.
Read now
Robert Böhm, Astrid Schütz, Katrin Rentzsch, André Körner & Friedrich Funke. (2010) Are we looking for positivity or similarity in a partner's outlook on life? Similarity predicts perceptions of social attractiveness and relationship quality. The Journal of Positive Psychology 5:6, pages 431-438.
Read now
AmandaJ. Holmstrom. (2009) Sex and Gender Similarities and Differences in Communication Values in Same-Sex and Cross-Sex Friendships. Communication Quarterly 57:2, pages 224-238.
Read now
DanielJ. Weigel & DeborahS. Ballard-Reisch. (2008) Relational Maintenance, Satisfaction, and Commitment in Marriages: An Actor-Partner Analysis. Journal of Family Communication 8:3, pages 212-229.
Read now
Daniel J. Weigel, Kymberley K. Bennett & Deborah S. Ballard-Reisch. (2006) Influence Strategies in Marriage: Self and Partner Links between Equity, Strategy Use, and Marital Satisfaction and Commitment. Journal of Family Communication 6:1, pages 77-95.
Read now
KevinB. Wright. (2004) On‐line relational maintenance strategies and perceptions of partners within exclusively internet‐based and primarily internet‐based relationships. Communication Studies 55:2, pages 239-253.
Read now
Wendy Samter. (2002) How gender and cognitive complexity influence the provision of emotional support: A study of indirect effects. Communication Reports 15:1, pages 5-16.
Read now
Kimo Ah Yun. (2001) The impact of interaction expectancies on the relationship between attitude dissimilarity and interpersonal attraction. Communication Research Reports 18:2, pages 166-173.
Read now
Nathan Miczo, Chris Segrin & LisaE. Allspach. (2001) Relationship between nonverbal sensitivity, encoding, and relational satisfaction. Communication Reports 14:1, pages 39-48.
Read now
Valerie Manusov & Carolyn Chow. (1999) Building relationships in initial interactions: Investigating the tie between similarity and nonverbal congruency. New Jersey Journal of Communication 7:2, pages 138-155.
Read now
BrantR. Burleson, AdrianneW. Kunkel & JenniferB. Szolwinski. (1997) Similarity in cognitive complexity and attraction to friends and lovers: Experimental and correlational studies. Journal of Constructivist Psychology 10:3, pages 221-248.
Read now
Lori West Peterson & TerranceL. Albrecht. (1996) Message design logic, social support, and mixed‐status relationships. Western Journal of Communication 60:4, pages 291-309.
Read now
BrantR. Burleson & Wendy Samter. (1996) Similarity in the communication skills of young adults: Foundations of attraction, friendship, and relationship satisfaction. Communication Reports 9:2, pages 127-139.
Read now
ElizabethE. Graham. (1995) The involvement of sense of humor in the development of social relationships. Communication Reports 8:2, pages 158-169.
Read now
BrantR. Burleson, AdrianneW. Kunkel & JenniferD. Birch. (1994) Thoughts about talk in romantic relationships: Similarity makes for attraction (and happiness, too). Communication Quarterly 42:3, pages 259-273.
Read now

Articles from other publishers (57)

Liesbet Berlamont, Eva Ceulemans, Chiara Carlier, Lesley Verhofstadt, William Ickes, Céline Hinnekens & Laura Sels. (2023) Couple similarity in empathic accuracy and relationship well-being. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
Crossref
Emily Jackson, John Galvin, Varun Warrier, Simon Baron-Cohen, Shanhong Luo, Robin IM Dunbar, Hannah Proctor, Eva Lee & Gareth Richards. (2022) Evidence of assortative mating for theory of mind via facial expressions but not language. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, pages 026540752211064.
Crossref
Gareth Richards, Simon Baron-Cohen, Varun Warrier, Ben Mellor, Jessica Davies, Laura Gee & John Galvin. (2022) Evidence of partner similarity for autistic traits, systemizing, and theory of mind via facial expressions. Scientific Reports 12:1.
Crossref
Alexandrea L. Craft, Christina A. Rowley & Maureen Perry-Jenkins. (2022) Multiracial Families: Differences in Values & Relational Outcomes. Journal of Child and Family Studies 31:3, pages 629-648.
Crossref
Matthew D. Hammond & Chris G. Sibley. (2021) Romantic Partners Are Similar in Their Well-Being and Sociopolitical Attitudes but Change Independently Over Time. Social Psychological and Personality Science 13:1, pages 199-209.
Crossref
Thomas I. Vaughan-Johnston, Joshua J. Guyer, Leandre R. Fabrigar & Charlie Shen. (2021) The Role of Vocal Affect in Persuasion: The CIVA Model. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 45:4, pages 455-477.
Crossref
Sierra D. Peters & Andrea L. Meltzer. (2021) Newlywed Couples’ Own and Partner Sexual Disgust Sensitivities Interact to Predict Their Marital Satisfaction Through Their Sexual Satisfaction. Archives of Sexual Behavior 50:6, pages 2563-2577.
Crossref
Zoe Liberman, Katherine D. Kinzler & Amanda L. Woodward. (2021) Origins of homophily: Infants expect people with shared preferences to affiliate. Cognition 212, pages 104695.
Crossref
Aviva Philipp-Muller, Laura E. Wallace, Vanessa Sawicki, Kathleen M. Patton & Duane T. Wegener. (2020) Understanding When Similarity-Induced Affective Attraction Predicts Willingness to Affiliate: An Attitude Strength Perspective. Frontiers in Psychology 11.
Crossref
Peilian Chi, Qinglu Wu, Hongjian Cao, Nan Zhou & Xiuyun Lin. (2020) Relationship-oriented values and marital and life satisfaction among Chinese couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 37:8-9, pages 2578-2596.
Crossref
Minha Cho, Emily A. Impett, Belinda Campos, Serena Chen & Dacher Keltner. (2020) Socioeconomic inequality undermines relationship quality in romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 37:5, pages 1722-1742.
Crossref
Yulia W. Sullivan & Chang E. Koh. (2019) Social media enablers and inhibitors: Understanding their relationships in a social networking site context. International Journal of Information Management 49, pages 170-189.
Crossref
Susan Sprecher. (2019) Does (Dis)Similarity Information about a New Acquaintance Lead to Liking or Repulsion? An Experimental Test of a Classic Social Psychology Issue. Social Psychology Quarterly 82:3, pages 303-318.
Crossref
Marta Robitschek, Francesca Danioni, Daniela Barni & Raffaella Iafrate. (2018) Condividere valori simili fa bene alle relazioni familiari: uno studio con genitori di figli adolescenti. RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA:2, pages 255-283.
Crossref
Tricia J. Burke & Chris Segrin. (2016) Weight-related social control and relationship quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 33:8, pages 999-1017.
Crossref
Karen Wynn. (2016) Origins of Value Conflict: Babies Do Not Agree to Disagree. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 20:1, pages 3-5.
Crossref
Edward L. Fink, Andrew C. High & Rachel A. Smith. (2015) Compliance Dynamics Within a Friendship Network II: Structural Positions Used to Garner Social Support. Human Communication Research 41:1, pages 21-54.
Crossref
Susan Sprecher. (2013) Correlates of Couples’ Perceived Similarity at the Initiation Stage and Currently. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships 7:2, pages 180-195.
Crossref
Danika N. Hiew, W. Kim Halford & Shuang Liu. 2013. Contemporary Issues in Family Studies. Contemporary Issues in Family Studies 87 99 .
Stanislav Treger, Susan Sprecher & Ralph Erber. (2013) Laughing and liking: Exploring the interpersonal effects of humor use in initial social interactions. European Journal of Social Psychology 43:6, pages 532-543.
Crossref
Vincent Kang Fu & Nicholas H. Wolfinger. (2011) Broken Boundaries or Broken Marriages? Racial Intermarriage and Divorce in the U nited S tates . Social Science Quarterly 92:4, pages 1096-1117.
Crossref
René M. Dailey, Lynsey Kluever Romo & Charee Mooney Thompson. (2011) Confirmation in Couples' Communication About Weight Management: An Analysis of How Both Partners Contribute to Individuals' Health Behaviors and Conversational Outcomes. Human Communication Research 37:4, pages 553-582.
Crossref
MARIAN M. MORRY, MIE KITO & LINDSEY ORTIZ. (2010) The attraction–similarity model and dating couples: Projection, perceived similarity, and psychological benefits. Personal Relationships 18:1, pages 125-143.
Crossref
DANIEL J. WEIGEL. (2010) Mutuality of commitment in romantic relationships: Exploring a dyadic model. Personal Relationships 17:4, pages 495-513.
Crossref
Sigrid Bekmeier‐Feuerhahn & Angelika Eichenlaub. (2010) What makes for trusting relationships in online communication?. Journal of Communication Management 14:4, pages 337-355.
Crossref
Michael Ivanov & Paul D. Werner. (2010) Behavioral communication: Individual differences in communication style. Personality and Individual Differences 49:1, pages 19-23.
Crossref
Sonja Utz. (2010) Show me your friends and I will tell you what type of person you are: How one's profile, number of friends, and type of friends influence impression formation on social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 15:2, pages 314-335.
Crossref
Jaime L. Marks, Chun Bun Lam & Susan M. McHale. (2009) Family Patterns of Gender Role Attitudes. Sex Roles 61:3-4, pages 221-234.
Crossref
HAO CHEN, SHANHONG LUO, GUOAN YUE, DAN XU & RUIXUE ZHAOYANG. (2009) Do birds of a feather flock together in China?. Personal Relationships 16:2, pages 167-186.
Crossref
Sigrid Bekmeier-Feuerhahn & Angelika Eichenlaub. 2009. Medien im Marketing. Medien im Marketing 293 316 .
DANIEL J. WEIGEL. (2008) A dyadic assessment of how couples indicate their commitment to each other. Personal Relationships 15:1, pages 17-39.
Crossref
. 2008. Was hält Partnerschaften zusammen?. Was hält Partnerschaften zusammen? 315 352 .
Andrew Clarkwest. (2007) Spousal Dissimilarity, Race, and Marital Dissolution. Journal of Marriage and Family 69:3, pages 639-653.
Crossref
Marian M. Morry. (2016) The attraction-similarity hypothesis among cross-sex friends: Relationship satisfaction, perceived similarities, and self-serving perceptions. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 24:1, pages 117-138.
Crossref
Catherine J. Lutz-ZoisAngela C. Bradley, Jennifer L. Mihalik & Erika R. Moorman-Eavers. (2016) Perceived similarity and relationship success among dating couples: An idiographic approach. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 23:6, pages 865-880.
Crossref
Annette M. C. Roest, Judith Semon Dubas, Jan R. M. Gerris & Rutger C. M. E. Engels. (2006) Disentangling Value Similarities and Transmissions in Established Marriages: A Cross-Lagged Longitudinal Study. Journal of Marriage and Family 68:5, pages 1132-1146.
Crossref
Daniel J. Weigel, Kymberley K. Bennett & Deborah S. Ballard‐Reisch. (2009) Roles and Influence in Marriages: Both Spouses' Perceptions Contribute to Marital Commitment. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal 35:1, pages 74-92.
Crossref
MATTHIJS KALMIJN. (2005) Attitude alignment in marriage and cohabitation: The case of sex-role attitudes. Personal Relationships 12:4, pages 521-535.
Crossref
Marian M. Morry. (2016) Relationship satisfaction as a predictor of similarity ratings: A test of the attraction-similarity hypothesis. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 22:4, pages 561-584.
Crossref
Benjamin P. Madia & Catherine J. Lutz. (2006) Perceived Similarity, Expectation‐Reality Discrepancies, and Mentors' Expressed Intention to Remain in Big Brothers/Big Sisters Programs. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 34:3, pages 598-623.
Crossref
Leslie A. Baxter & Lee West. (2016) Couple Perceptions of Their Similarities and Differences: A Dialectical Perspective. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 20:4, pages 491-514.
Crossref
Susan M. Johnson. (2007) THE REVOLUTION IN COUPLE THERAPY: A PRACTITIONER‐SCIENTIST PERSPECTIVE. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 29:3, pages 365-384.
Crossref
Cameron Anderson, Dacher Keltner & Oliver P. John. (2003) Emotional convergence between people over time.. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 84:5, pages 1054-1068.
Crossref
Friedrich Lösel & Doris Bender. 2003. Sozialpsychologie der Partnerschaft. Sozialpsychologie der Partnerschaft 43 75 .
JERRY L. COOK & RANDALL M. JONES. (2016) Congruency of Identity Style in Married Couples. Journal of Family Issues 23:8, pages 912-926.
Crossref
Judith A Hall, Terrence G Horgan, Terry S Stein & Debra L Roter. (2002) Liking in the physician–patient relationship. Patient Education and Counseling 48:1, pages 69-77.
Crossref
Carmen M Lee & William B Gudykunst. (2001) Attraction in initial interethnic interactions. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 25:4, pages 373-387.
Crossref
Wayne H. Denton, Brant R. Burleson, Thomas E. Clark, Christopher P. Rodriguez & Barbara V. Hobbs. (2007) A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF EMOTION‐FOCUSED THERAPY FOR COUPLES IN A TRAINING CLINIC. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 26:1, pages 65-78.
Crossref
Gail G. Whitchurch & Fran C. Dickson. 1999. Handbook of Marriage and the Family. Handbook of Marriage and the Family 687 704 .
Deborah S. Ballard-Reisch & Daniel J. Weigel. 1999. Handbook of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability. Handbook of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability 407 424 .
Kathryn A. Urberg, Serdar M. Degirmencioglu & Jerry M. Tolson. (2016) Adolescent Friendship Selection and Termination: The Role of Similarity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 15:5, pages 703-710.
Crossref
Robert E. Sanders. (2016) Find Your Partner and Do-Si-Do: The Formation of Personal Relationships between Social Beings. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 14:3, pages 387-415.
Crossref
HILMAR NORDVIK. (2008) Similarity between partners in real and perceived personality traits as measured by the Myers‐Briggs type indicator. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 37:4, pages 444-450.
Crossref
WILLIAM R. CUPACH & SANDRA METTS. (2005) The role of sexual attitude similarity in romantic heterosexual relationships. Personal Relationships 2:4, pages 287-300.
Crossref
BRANT R. BURLESON. (2005) Friendship and similarities in social‐cognitive and communication abilities: Social skill bases of interpersonal attraction in childhood. Personal Relationships 1:4, pages 371-389.
Crossref
Laura K. Guerrero & Peter A. Andersen. (1994) Patterns of matching and initiation: Touch behavior and touch avoidance across romantic relationship stages. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 18:2, pages 137-153.
Crossref
Marianne Dainton & Laura Stafford. (2016) Routine Maintenance Behaviors: A Comparison of Relationship Type, Partner Similarity and Sex Differences. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 10:2, pages 255-271.
Crossref

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

Related research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.