By Neuroscience News
A landmark CU Boulder study disrupts a widely held belief about love and compatibility.
Over a century's worth of data involving millions of couples shows similar traits are more common in couples.
Between 82-89% of examined traits—including political beliefs and substance use habits—were more similar among partners.
Between 82-89% of examined traits—including political beliefs and substance use habits—were more similar among partners.
Using data as far back as 1903, researchers found that traits like political values and substance use habits showed significant correlations among couples.
Few traits, such as being a "morning lark" or "night owl", showed that opposites might occasionally attract.
Even rarely considered traits, like past sexual partners or childhood experiences, showed some degree of similarity among couples.
Beyond just couples, these findings can influence next-gen studies in genetics, sociology, and beyond, reshaping our understanding of human relationships.