The Name-Letter Effect: Why People Prefer Partners with Similar Names
Exploration of the name-letter effect - people's attraction to potential partners with similar names to them.
The name-letter effect explains why people show a preference for partners with the same initials as them.
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References
- Nuttin, J.M. (1985). Narcissism beyond Gestalt and awareness: The name letter effect. European Journal of Social Psychology. 15(3). 353-361.
- Nuttin, J.M. (1987). Affective consequences of mere ownership: The name letter effect in twelve European languages. European Journal of Social Psychology. 17(4). 381-402.
- Jones, J.T., Pelham, B.W., Carvallo, M. and Mirenberg, M.C. (2004). How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Js: Implicit Egotism and Interpersonal Attraction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 87(5). 665-683.
- Treiman, R. and Broderick, V. (1998). What's in a name? Children's knowledge about the letters in their own names. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. 70. 97-116.
- Hoorens, V. and Todorova, E. (1988). The name letter effect: Attachment to self or primacy of own name writing? European Journal of Social Psychology. 18. 365-368.
- Pelham, B.W., Carvallo, M. and Jones, J.T. (2005). Implicit Egotism. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 14(2). 106-110.
- Caprara, G.V., Vecchione, M., Barbaranelli, C. and Fraley, R.C. (2007). When Likeness Goes with Liking: The Case of Political Preference. Political Psychology. 28(5). 609-632.
- Pelham, B.W., Mirenberg, M.C. and Jones, J.T. (2002). Why Susie Sells Seashells by the Seashore: Implicit Egotism and Major Life Decisions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 82(4). 469-487.
- Knewtson, H.S. and Sias, R.W. (2010). Why Susie owns Starbucks: The name letter effect in security selection. Journal of Business Research. 63(12). 1324-1327.
- Hodson, G. and Olson, J.M. (2005). Testing the generality of the name letter effect: name initials and everyday attitudes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 31(8). 1099-1111.
- Bekkers, R. (2010). George gives to geology Jane: The name letter effect and incidental similarity cues in fundraising. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing. 15. 172-180.
- Nelson, L.D. and Simmons, J.P. (2007). Moniker Maladies: When Names Sabotage Success. Social Science Research Network.
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