ABSTRACT

Byrne’s (1971) attraction paradigm was a novel perspective on how to conduct paradigmatic research in social psychology. Once a base relation between a stimulus (S) and the response (R) is established: R = f(S), research can be directed at (i) refining the base relation (analytic research), (ii) replacing the original S by a new one (stimulus generality), (iii) replacing the original R by new ones (response generalities), and (iv) theory building (i.e., explaining the S-R relations and generating new predictions). During 1974-1982, Janak Pandey advanced the attraction paradigm by contributing to response generalities (helping, altruistic attitude, hiring and wage fixation), stimulus generality (similarity in dependency need), and theory building (affect or intention as a possible mediating variable). In this chapter, the author first presents an overview of the attraction paradigm and then accolades Pandey by (a) highlighting his contributions to the attraction paradigm, (b) presenting recent literature on mediators of the attitude similarity-attraction relation, and (c) suggesting methods to test his other ideas about possible processes underlying helping and ingratiation. When “a seemingly simple” similarity-attraction relation has a complex sequential chain of mediators such as validation of one’s views, positive affect, respect for and inferred attraction of the partner, and trust in him/her, mediators of the stimulus-response links reported by Pandey may not be any less complex. Suggestions for further pursuing his ideas and those of the proponents of Indian psychology are made.

Keywords: affect, attraction, cognition, helping, ingratiation, sequential mediation