A number of classical studies demonstrated that as the geographic distance separating potential couples decreases, the probability of their marrying each other increases.
In one of these studies, conducted in Philadelphia in the 1930s, some 5,000 marriage licenses were examines. Result shows that 12% of the potential couples lived in the same building, as evidence by the same address, when they applied for a marriage license.
An additional 33% lived a distance of five or fewer blocks from each other. The percentage of marriages decreased significantly as the geographic distance between the potential couples increased.
In another study, conducted in Columbus, Ohio in the 1950s, 431 couples who applied for marriage licenses were interviewed. It turned out that 54% of the couples were separated by a distance of 16 blocks or fewer when they first went out together, and 37% were separated by a distance of a 5 blocks or fewer.
The number pf marriages decreased as the distance increased between the couples’ places of residence.The two most famous studies documenting the relationship between proximity and attraction were conducted in college dormitories. Because most of the students who live in dormitories have not known each other previously, a dormitory provides a good setting to study how close relationships develop.
Renowned social psychologist Leon Festinger conducted a study of the residents of married student housing on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in Cambridge.
These dormitories were built in a U-shape around a central courts covered with grass. The exterior sides of the building faced the street; the central section faced the inner courtyard, Festinger’s famous conclusion was that the architect had inadvertently determined the patterns of relationships among the dwellers of these building.
Two factors appeared to exercise the greatest influence on personal relationships: the location of the apartments and the distances between them. The most important factor in determining who would be emotionally close to whom was the distance between their apartments.
The closer people lived to each other, the more likely they were to become friends. Next door neighbors were far more likely to become friends with each other than with people who lived in adjacent buildings.
As a matter of fact, it was difficult to find close friendship between people who lived more than five apartments way from each other. In more than two thirds of the cases, close friendships were between next-door neighbors.
In addition, the location of some of the apartments created more opportunities for their residents. Those residents who lived near staircase or mailboxes met more of their fellow residents and met them more often. The frequent encounters in increased the chances that these well located people would talk to others get to know them, form friendships and increase their own popularity.
On the other hand, people who lived in apartments that faced the street had no next door neighbors. As a result these residents made half the number of friends made by those who lived facing the inner court.
The Effect of Proximity on Attraction
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