It’s like looking in the mirror….
I think it’s funny when I meet a married couple and it looks like they could be siblings. Not sure why, but I do find it amusing. Maybe because, as you may remember, Bald Man and I look nothing alike, nor have I looked like anyone I ever went out with.
Seems, though, that we may end up looking more like each other than we ever imagined. A study by Robert Zajonc and colleagues shows that couples’ facial features tend to become similar over time.
Empathy. This is the theory the authors like - and so do I. People grow to look similar because they are empathising with each other and so copying each other’s facial expressions. Over time because of all the empathising they are doing, their faces come to look more similar. For example, if one partner often smiles in a particular way, the other is likely to copy it - so creating similar patterns of wrinkles and furrows on the face.
Read the entire article to find out the other theories. And take a good look at us now, because, before too long, you may not be able to tell Bald Man and me apart. :P
photo credit: Lollyknit
POSTED IN: Marriage News
2 opinions for It’s like looking in the mirror….
Liz.
Feb 21, 2008 at 1:13 am
One of the men I work with, I work in a furniture store so it’s a bunch of men 50-75 of age, he and his wife look just alike. Funny that you mention this since the fiance and I were just talking about this the other day. Since I take a ton of photos it will be interesting to see if we end up looking alike later on down the road.
Kerri
Feb 23, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Liz: Thanks for the comment. :) I should pay better attention to the people around me and see if seems true here!
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