Science Says You're Attracted To Your Parents

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Screamin' Eagle Outfitters

If you believe the age old saying "opposites attract" you may want to re-think your decision.

Despite the expression, people are more likely to be attracted who individuals who look like themselves or their parents.

Scientists have already established several species including birds, mammals, and fish mate with animals that resemble their parents, which is otherwise known as sexual imprinting.

For example, if a baby goat is raised by a sheep, when the goat reaches sexual maturity, it will look for another sheep to mate with, as opposed to its own species.  

According to Psychology Today, this may signify that "our incest taboos are social constructs instituted to prevent people from following their instincts."

Researchers at the deCODE genetics company in Reykjavik, Iceland have found that marriages between third or fourth cousins is more optimal for reproduction purposes, as they are likely to have more children and grandchildren compared to unrelated couples. They suggested while romantic relationships between siblings and first-cousins may lead to inbreeding, third or fourth cousins have just enough genetic similarity where their offspring may be produced from the best gene pool.

deCODE genetics company labIceland Mag

This theory goes against the "Westermarck effect," which argues people who grow up together won't be attracted to each other when they reach sexual maturity.

Studies conducted by Finnish anthropologist Edvard Westermark are aligned to recent findings, which suggest living in close proximity to another person is the decisive factor for desensitization in terms of sexual attraction - opposed to degree of their resemblance.

However, Psychological Science reports we only perceive people to look similar to us once we deem them trustworthy.

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