Q. The choice of communication partners is influenced by factors of

Explanation:

Option 2 is correct.
– Proximity: The propinquity effect shows we are more likely to choose to communicate with those who are physically or socially close because repeated contact increases familiarity and opportunity.
– Utility: Social exchange and predicted outcome value perspectives explain that we select partners expected to offer rewards (information, support, resources), i.e., high utility.
– Loneliness: The need to belong/affiliation motive drives people to seek interaction to reduce loneliness, shaping whom they approach.
Elimination of other options:
– Secrecy, dissonance, deception (Options 1 and 3) are interaction tactics or cognitive states, not primary determinants of initial partner choice.
– Dissimilarity and deviance (Option 4) generally deter selection; dissonance is not a standard selection criterion.
Therefore, Proximity, Utility, and Loneliness best capture recognized drivers of choosing communication partners.