Forget 'opposites attract,' study finds couples are more likely similar
What's the story
When it comes to romantic relationships and compatibility, most people swear by the age-old adage "opposites attract." However, in a recent study conducted by a Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado Boulder, named Tanya Horwitz, it was revealed that most couples are likely to be anything but opposite of each other. The study involved analyzing nearly 80,000 heterosexual couples and their 133 traits.
Study
Views about politics, drugs, sex, etc were 'remarkably similar'
The study found that about 80% of the total traits analyzed in couples came out to be "remarkably similar." Only 3% of traits were different. The 'similar traits' included political views, drug consumption, the first time and the age when they first indulged in sexual intercourse, etc. Based on the results, Horwitz concluded, "Birds of a feather are indeed more likely to flock together."
Research
Previous research was also referred to
Besides conducting primary research, Horwitz along with her team of experts had also referred to previous research conducted in the same field. As per The Guardian, scientists studied 200 research papers that talked about 22 distinct traits in millions of straight couples. Even in this, multiple traits like drinking/smoking preferences, education qualifications, religious/political views, IQ levels, etc. in couples matched with each other.
Difference
There were certain aspects on which couples scored different
There were certain traits on which people differed from their significant partner. Aspects like height, body weight, medical illnesses, and personality traits were found to be quite different in couples. For instance, extroverts were more likely to partner with an introvert than they were with people as extroverted as they are. In a nutshell, the power of opposites attracting was found to be weak.
Previous
Even previous studies highlight that couples can have similar interests
There have been several studies from the past that highlight how people in a romantic relationship have shared interests, hobbies, beliefs, and core value systems. Most couples studied belong to the same locality and are found to have similar preferences when it comes to food, travel, religion, and lifestyle. This also involved sharing the same group of friends.