Kinsley, a 20-year-old college sophomore, is talkative, assertive, and politically conservative. Research suggests that she would most likely become a good friend of

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The question presents a scenario about interpersonal attraction and similarity in personality traits. A careful option-by-option evaluation follows to illuminate why the described match makes sense and why alternatives are less plausible.

a. Nolan, who is relaxed and talkative.
This option emphasizes that Nolan is relaxed and talkative. While talkativeness can be compatible with Kinsley’s own talkativeness, the key distinction is political orientation. Kinsley is described as politically conservative, and research on friendship formation often highlights the influence of shared attitudes or values. A match based primarily on being relaxed may overlook the ideological alignment that commonly facilitates close friendships in college settings. Therefore, this choice might explain some surface-level compatibility but misses the core factor highlighted in the prompt.

b. Marco, who is reflective and quiet.
Marco’s reflective and quiet nature suggests a personality that is more reserved and less outgoing. Given Kinsley’s talkative and assertive style, a friendship could be strained by contrasting communication styles and energy levels. The mismatch in extroversion and potential conversational dynamics reduces the likelihood of a strong immediate friendship, even if other traits could complement in different contexts. This option reflects a potential incompatibility rather than a strong basis for a close friendship.

c. Thor, who is politically liberal and assertive.
Thor shares assertiveness with Kinsley but differs on political orientation, being liberal whereas Kinsley is conservative. Political disagreement can complicate deep friendship formation, especially when core values and beliefs are central to identity and daily life. While similarity in some traits can support bonding, substantial ideological divergence often reduces perceived compatibility in close friendships, making this option less aligned with the research emphasis on shared attitudes.

d. Theo, who is talkative and assertive.
Theo mirrors several key features of Kinsley’s profile: talkativeness and assertiveness. When individuals resemble each other in communication style and demeanor, interactions tend to be smoother, and there is often better mutual understanding and conversational rhythm. If research suggests that similarity in demographic or personality traits facilitates friendship, then sharing talkativeness and assertiveness is a strong alignment that boosts the likelihood of forming a good friendship. Additionally, both individuals being similarly outspoken can lead to dynamic yet compatible interactions rather than ongoing friction.

In summary, the option that aligns most closely with the idea of friendship formation through similarity in communicative style and assertiveness—attributes that influence daily interactions and rapport—offers the strongest basis for a good friendship given the scenario. The other choices present mismatches either in terms of personality dynamics (introversion vs. extroversion balance), or in terms of ideological compatibility, which research frequently identifies as important barriers to early friendship development.

PSY 200 (003) Fall 2025 Introduction to Psychology (TR, 1:30pm)

Kinsley, a 20-year-old college sophomore, is talkative, assertive, and politically conservative. Research suggests that she would most likely become a good friend of

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