GENDER CHARACTERISTICS AND RELATIONSHIP ADJUSTMENT - ANOTHER LOOK AT SIMILARITY COMPLEMENTARITY HYPOTHESES

The present study examined how the similarity and complementarity of g ender-related attitudes, behaviors, interests, and personality traits related to partner selection and relationship adjustment in the contex t of serious, romantic relationships. Results revealed the important r ole of gender-related attitudes in relationships, indicating that stud y participants tended to be paired with partners who held similar atti tudes, and that couples who were similar in attitudes had higher dyadi c adjustment. Furthermore, the nature of the couples' attitudes affect ed (a) the extent to which couples were paired on the basis of complem entary interests and behaviors, and (b) the relation between partner's gender-related behaviors and dyadic adjustment. Results support previ ous research citing the importance of attitude similarity in interpers onal attraction, and demonstrate that these findings can be generalize d to ongoing, close relationships.