1. the interest in and liking of one individual by another, or the mutual interest and liking between two or more individuals. Interpersonal attraction may be based on shared experiences or characteristics, physical appearance, internal motivation (e.g., for affiliation), or some combination of these. Also called interpersonal attraction.

2. in environmental psychology, a quality affecting proximity between individuals. For example, male–female and female–female pairs who enjoy each other’s company position themselves closer to each other than do pairs who feel no personal liking or affection for each other. Environmental influences, such as noise, heat, and humidity, decrease attraction between pairs of individuals. See proxemics. —attractive adj.