A similar theory is the Electra complex put forward by Carl Gustav Jung. Young girls were attracted to their fathers, according to Jung. However, it is possible to say that it is useful to question the validity of these two theories today.
We will examine through different studies whether it is really possible to generalize that people are attracted to partners who are similar to their parents. Because in such a situation, we cannot ignore the fact that there may be other factors that cause this issue. Come on, let’s discuss this together.
There may be biological and psychological factors behind the attraction to parent-like partners.
st. According to a study conducted at Andrews University; It has been found that men are generally interested in partners who are similar to their mothers when choosing a mate. Again, the same research; she says women like men with faces like their fathers.
Researchers show participants photos of men and women for a second and, without telling the participants, add a photoshopped photo of the participants to the opposite sex. In other words, the male participants of the female participants and the female versions of the male participants. On top of that, the participants find the altered photos of themselves attractive, and the researchers say that this is because the participants remember their mother or father. However, the researchers explain the reason for this situation as showing the behavioral characteristics of the participants in their infancy and comparing their state to the physical and behavioral appearance of their parents.
The theory of sexual stigma and the person’s resemblance to the physical characteristics of the partner can be effective in people’s preference for spouses who resemble their parents.
Considering that 50 percent of the genetic inheritance is inherited from the mother and 50 percent from the father, we can say that various traits such as eye and hair color are inherited from their parents. The researchers explained that people might like something they are familiar with more, explaining the participants’ photo choices with the ‘exposure effect’. For example, someone who looks like a person’s own face may seem more sympathetic to the person, but of course, you should know that this person is not necessarily one of the parents.
Psychologist John Gottman, on the other hand, talks about different factors in mate selection, based on the theory of sexual stigma, as well as hormonal characteristics. According to this theory, an individual is in an intense need for love at the age of 18 months and can be psychologically conditioned at that age to be interested in a different person who is similar to his own parent. In other words, just as an individual at an early age receives (or is deprived of) love, security and closeness from one of the parents, he can be conditioned accordingly in choosing a partner in his later years.
We should not forget the effect of social factors in the selection of a spouse similar to the parent.
According to research, not only physical and behavioral characteristics, but also the education level, worldview, social environment, values, beliefs and lifestyle of the partner can be effective in choosing a partner.
An example of this is Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose Depp.
Lily-Rose Depp was with Timothée Chalamet, known for her resemblance to Johnny Depp. Moreover, it is known that Chalamet will revive a character previously played by Johnny Depp in his new movie. In short, as mentioned above, it is possible to be interested in partners who are similar to the social status of the parent in choosing a partner.
Sources: 1, 2
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