MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- It's highly likely that most couples are birds of a feather and that's why they decide to nest together, according to a University of Iowa study that puts the boot to that old saying that opposites attract.
The study found that people first of all tend to select romantic partners who have similar attitudes, religious beliefs and values. Over the long term, however, it's similarities in personality that appear to be the most important factor in a happy marriage, the researchers conclude.
The Iowa team studied a few hundred newlyweds who'd been married less than a year at the time of the study and had dated for an average of three and a half years. The couples were assessed on a wide range of personality characteristics, attitudes and relationship quality indicators.
Though it has long been a staple plot in Hollywood romantic comedies, the researchers found no evidence at all that opposites attract.
"People may be attracted to those who have similar attitudes, values and beliefs and even marry them -- at least in part -- on the basis of this similarity," the study authors write. Shared outlooks draw couples together because they are easy to spot and are "fundamental to the way people lead their lives," they add.
On the other hand, personality-related characteristics take much longer to recognize, but appear to play a more important role as the relationship goes on.
"Once people are in a committed relationship, it is primarily personality similarity that influences marital happiness," the researchers write, "because being in a committed relationship entails regular interaction and requires extensive coordination in dealing with tasks, issues and problems of daily living."
The study appears in the February issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
More information
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy offers advice about marriage preparation.
