What do other studies say about the concept of degrees of separation? Are the results from other studies similar and, if so, what does that tell us about the concept the text refers to as it being a “small world?” What encounters have you had regarding degrees of separation?

Remember how the discussion assignments work.

You need to respond to one discussion question with an essay of 400-600 words with at least two references. This is due by 11:59 pm (Central Time) on Thursday. By Sunday, you need to submit two responses of at least 75 words to people who, ideally, answered questions other than the one you answered.

Include the question you are answering at the beginning of the posting. If you notice that several people have answered a particular question, try to answer a different one.

The more different discussion topics we have, the better.

Here are the questions for Week Six:

1. Do opposites attract? After reading the chapter and researching this topic, what did you find about this question?

2. There is a research supported belief there is a small degree of separation between us and others. For example, a study of text communications (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103718.html?hpid=topnews) of 180 million people worldwide “concluded that any two people on average are distanced by just 6.6 degrees of separation, meaning that they could be linked by a string of seven or fewer acquaintances.”

What do other studies say about the concept of degrees of separation? Are the results from other studies similar and, if so, what does that tell us about the concept the text refers to as it being a “small world?” What encounters have you had regarding degrees of separation? For example, many years ago my wife and went to Disney World.

At a random restaurant a patron approached me and asked about the college logo on my shirt. Turns out, he attended the same undergraduate institution and knew several of the same professors.

3. What is the proximity effect? How does this concept play into establishing friendships and relationships?

4. Pick a theory of attraction and define the basic premises of the theory. How does this theory explain attraction? Does the theory take into account other possible methods of developing attraction or is it exclusive? What are the strengths and limitations of this theory?

5. Is there such a thing as a completely unselfish behavior? Explain you position with research.