It’s a phenomenon sometimes observed between a pet and owner, but it’s not altogether uncommon among the two members of a very long-term romantic couple: over time, the two increasingly resemble each other.
When we see it, it can seem quite remarkable, perhaps even a bit surprising. As Amber Angelle writes in Live Science however, not only is the occurrence not accidental, but there’s actually a solid scientific explanation for mutual resemblance among twosomes that have been paired for the long haul.
To get at the possible explanation, University of Michigan psychologist Robert Zajonc conducted an experiment that involved the analysis of photographs of couples as newlyweds and after 25 years of marital bliss. An overall pattern emerged that after the quarter century passage of time, that couples’ mutual resemblance increased.
In addition to this being a function of how long the couple has been together, Zajonc’s findings determined that the happier the couple is, the more likely it is that the two will come to share visible, physical traits. As Live Science explains by way of example, if your partner is of good humor and is easy with the laughter, there’s a good chance that you will as well, and you’ll perhaps develop similar sets of laugh lines on your faces.
Previously established research has determined that similarity of personality is a primary determinant when it comes to human relations and mate selection. These behavioral similarities no doubt serve as the foundation for a long term and consistent pattern of comparable actions and reactions, and reinforced over time, become manifest in our physical appearances.
Put differently, as Angelle has, it just may turn out simply that “couples may start to look like each other because in some ways they already are like each other.”
Photo by *martin* via Flickr