One approach to searching for determinants of interpersonal attraction involves the altering and studying of physiological arousal, psychological stress, and moods. On the basis of the reinforcement-affect model of attraction, it was hypothesized that the positive feelings obtained from undergoing relaxation exercises could serve to enhance interpersonal attraction in a social setting. A single-factor design tested this prediction by enabling a state of relaxation to be manipulated among dyads of previously unacquainted females immediately prior to their engaging in a five-minute interaction. Cognitive expectancies regarding the duration of the relaxing effects were also manipulated so that some of the subjects were told that their acquired relaxed feelings would last at least 30 minutes, while others were informed that their state of relaxation would dissipate within 60 seconds. Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare a control group with various relaxation groups, and the "effects last" group with "effects dissipate" group. Results indicate that a state of relaxation does promote interpersonal attraction, but that the relaxation-attraction relationship is mediated by the implanting of cognitive expectancies regarding the duration of the relaxing effects. (Author)