What attracts someone to another person? Why is attraction different from person to person?

     Many factors enter into what attracts one individual to another individual. These factors are physical appearance (physical characteristics), attitudes, propinquity, and reciprocity. Physical appearance is one of the key factors of attraction between individuals. Often an individual has an attraction to another individual because he or she determines another individual to be physically appealing. An appealing physical appearance may stimulate an individual's interest in another individual; therefore one may be more likely to become acquainted with another individual. Attitudes are a determinate of attractions because individuals are usually attracted to other individuals with the similar attitudes. Propinquity is the psychological or physical proximity between individuals. Attractions may be formed from seeing or the ability to see another individual frequently. Individuals tend to live among other individuals who are reasonably similar to each other in background and thus come into contact with them frequently, which can form an attraction (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Another aspect of propinquity is that individuals are drawn to or attracted to other individuals who share similar attitudes. Reciprocity is a key determinant of attraction. When one individual feels admired and is complimented by another individual he or she tends to return the same feelings and behaviors, which attracts one to another. 

     Attraction is different from one individual to another individual because individuals have different beliefs of what one thinks is attractive or appealing or is not attractive or appealing. What is attractive for one individual may be unattractive for another individual.      

Reference

Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J.S., and Fichner-Rathus, L. (2005). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (6th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.