What is sympathy and why does it arise?

Many people noticed that we are drawn to some people, while others are pushing us away. What is sympathy and why does it arise? There is an opinion that there are 6 factors that explain why people seem attractive to us.

Similarities

The more people are like us, the more they seem nice to us. It is not about external similarity, but about inner affinity. You should have similar ideals and views. This theory can easily be explained by social confirmation. For example, if our thoughts are similar to the opinion of another person, there is a feeling that your point of view is correct.

The value of similarity is often used by marketers. It is proved that the buyer is more likely to buy goods from the seller who looks like him. What is sympathy? This feeling that arises in people who are like-minded.

Intimacy

People who are with each other in spatial proximity are more similar in their material status, marital status, attitudes. For example, they live in the same locality, work in the same company, go to a dance together, etc. The other reason is more banal. The closer people are, the more often they see, the more likely they are to have sympathy and to maintain social relations.

Social sharing

What is sympathy? This is when there is a balanced exchange between "take" and "return." This statement applies not only to material values, but also moral values. So, if we told a lot about ourselves, but he tells us nothing, our sympathy for him may be weakened. Therefore, the level of frankness and openness should also be balanced.

Sympathy for us

As a rule, we have feelings of sympathy for the person who has already shown sympathy for you. This factor often exceeds the proximity and similarity effect. This psychological technique is vividly demonstrated in Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing". Benedict and Beatrice hated each other and constantly quarreled. Their surroundings, watching their quarrels, decided to reconcile the couple. For this, they told Beatrice that Benedict was very good about her behind her back. The same thing was said to Benedict about the girl. As a result of such a trick, each of them begins to accept the sympathy of the other at face value. Thus, their relationship is improving.

Associations

Agree, the saleswoman of ice cream seems to us more cute than the policeman who wrote out the fine. Often, sympathy or antipathy arises based on positive or negative associations with a particular person.

Physical attractiveness

Outwardly attractive people are often considered more affable, interesting, talented and sociable. The guys are more likely to have a liking for a girl with a bright appearance, since she usually behaves more confidently than the less attractive women. American scientists have proved that with beautiful infringers of the law policemen behave much more indulgently. It is always easier for an attractive fraudster to win people's trust.

To say reliably, what is sympathy, it is necessary to take into account a multitude of components. In general, sympathy is a positive attitude towards someone, which is expressed in the manifestation of benevolence and attention.