proximity

Meaning: In social psychology, proximity is how physically close people are, such as neighbors, dorm roommates or coworkers. Nearby people meet more often, and repeated exposure usually raises familiarity and liking (the mere exposure effect). Frequent contact also gives people a chance to discover shared interests, which supports similarity. Proximity is one of the main factors in attraction, along with similarity, physical attractiveness and reciprocity. A second MCAT sense appears in perception: the Gestalt law of proximity says objects close together are grouped as one unit.

On the MCAT: A passage describes friendships forming among people assigned to nearby seats, rooms or offices, and asks which factor explains the pattern. The answer is proximity, often paired with mere exposure. Expect a prediction such as: if assignments are random, the likelihood of friendship is higher for people placed closer together. Electronic contact can also act as a kind of proximity by raising how often people interact.

Common confusion: Proximity is not similarity. Proximity is nearness, while similarity is shared traits or attitudes. Proximity is also not the same as mere exposure. Proximity is a situation that increases exposure, and mere exposure is the mechanism that raises liking. Exposure usually increases liking, but it does not guarantee it, because repeated contact with someone who is unpleasant need not make them better liked.