It was predicted that high self-esteem subjects would have higher attraction scores than low self-esteem subjects to similar strangers or to strangers who gave positive personal evaluations. It was also predicted that high self-esteem subjects would have lower attraction scores than low self-esteem subjects to dissimilar strangers or to subjects who evaluated them negatively. Attraction was greater if the stranger was similar rather than dissimilar (p less than .001) and gave positive evaluations rather than negative ones (p less than .001). Several measures of self-esteem were used. The predicted interactions of self-esteem and attitude similarity and of self-esteem and evaluation failed to emerge for attraction. However, there was a self-esteem by similarity interaction in the predicted direction for perceived intelligence of the stranger (p less than .01). The results provide partial replication of previous research. The results were discussed in terms of the distinction between positiveness and similarity as determinants of attraction in people differing in self-esteem. It was suggested that a more molecular approach to self-esteem might be used. (Author)