Factors Influencing Interpersonal Attraction

In the domain of social psychology, research on interpersonal attraction illuminates various factors influencing why we gravitate towards certain individuals. A prominent area of inquiry is the role of similarity in shaping interpersonal connections. The similarity-attraction hypothesis asserts that people are drawn to others who share similar attributes, interests, and values. Additionally, other factors like physical attractiveness and proximity also play significant roles in forming bonds. Given these dynamics, consider the following scenario:

Mary and John, both college students, recently met at a campus event. Mary is a biology major with similar hobbies to John's, who is also studying biological sciences and shares her passion for outdoor activities. As they begin to build a friendship, they notice other commonalities, such as mutual friends, preferred music genres, and similar worldviews. Analyzing their growing bond, which of the following factors is likely most crucial in their interpersonal attraction?