Do Opposites Really Attract? Or is the Opposite True?
People seek partners like themselves. Or they don’t. Which is it? Let’s sort fact from myth.
Dating apps do a lousy job finding good romantic matches. The first company with an effective algorithm to help people discover their life mates will reap billions, and preempt countless therapy hours devoted to frustration and disappointment with online dating.
That doesn’t mean we lack all insight into the partnering process. Folk wisdom provides two, if completely contradictory, mating maxims: “Like Attracts Like.” and “Opposites attract.” Some couples unite because of how closely each individual resembles the other. Other pairs form lasting relationships thanks to their utter differences.
Identifying traits or conditions that influence how people choose their partners would provide value for individuals, couples and society at large. Particularly if we pinpoint traits that encourage some people to seek mates similar to themselves, and others to partner with their opposites.
Geneticists use the term assortative mating when populations show consistent patterns of “like attracts like,” and disassortative mating for situations in which opposites attract.
