Interpersonal attraction in simple words is the force that acts between two individuals and unites them to form friendships or other types of relationships. It can be any form of positive attitude towards another person such as affiliation, desire to be with another person, sympathy, love or friendship. Man by nature is a social animal and if this need is not satisfied due to social exclusion or rejection we tend to react negatively such as increased stress, anxiety and low self-esteem which is often followed by a decreased physical health. The need for affiliation in my life is extremely pertinent to me leading a happy life. I have always been known to be a social butterfly. I can't survive in isolation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Friendships are extremely important. You need to develop bonds with others so that in times of stress and distress you can have a shoulder to cry on. The importance of love in my life is extremely important as I always need someone to share my successes and problems with. The need to belong is very strong in me and the need for a strong and stable relationship that grounds me and makes me feel loved, protected and worthy. Additionally, many factors contribute to the type of people I am attracted to. For me, closeness and similarity play an important role in forming strong bonds with others. My best friends live 10 minutes away. My husband has many similar habits to me, that's why we have a strong bond. "Man is at the same time a solitary being and a social being." Social comparison theory determines our value based on others. We are influenced by others by comparing ourselves to them, especially with social media we want our lives to be more exciting and glamorous than those portrayed in the media. Leon Festinger, the pioneer of social comparison theory, states that we are constantly seeking truthful self-evaluations and personal improvements and therefore tend to compare ourselves with those around us to gain greater clarity. This helps build a sense of identity. We make upward or downward comparisons. For example, a person looks at a photo of a beautiful model and wishes to be just like her, this is an upward comparison as she feels that the model is more beautiful than her and aspires to be just like her. The upward comparison is a source of inspiration and sets a goal to try to achieve. On the other hand, the downward comparison offers immediate relief and comfort. For example, a person compares his beautiful, luxurious and charming house to that of his less profitable colleague's mediocre house and feels superior and better than his colleague. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayThe most significant reason for the need for affiliation according to social comparison theory is the fact that we determine our social and personal worth by comparing ourselves to others and seeing how we compare to them. We constantly make self-evaluations based on a variety of domains, for example, attractiveness, wealth, success, intelligence, social status. We have the social skills and impulses to keep our envy hidden, but regardless, they tend to surface in subtle ways. Social Comparison Theory Essay Examples Anecdotal Opening: Imagine a world in which every interaction, every friendship, and every romantic relationship is the result of an invisible force that brings people together. This force is what?.