X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

3 Science-backed Reasons Why Couples In Long-term Relationships Start To Look-alike

3 min read

If you’ve been with your partner for at least several years, chances are you’ve been told how much you’re starting to look alike. You’re told you could pass for siblings, which could be cute or creepy, depending on how you see it.

It turns out, there’s more of a scientific-based explanation behind this.

1. You resemble each other to begin with

long-term relationships

Fann Wong and Christopher Lee. | Image source: Instagram / @fannaiaiwong

It’s no secret that we often seem to be attracted to someone who looks like us or resembles us in some way, whether it’s physical or social attributes, such as education level or hobbies. This phenomenon is called assortative mating, which is when you are drawn to someone with the same educational background or economic capacity, or someone who can relate to your plans and passions in life.

A more simpler level of attraction–the physical kind–also has some sort of scientific backing. According to a study out of the University of Colorado, people are attracted to “lifetime partners” who have similar DNA. This is because we, subconsciously, want to perpetuate our own genes.

2. Shared experiences affect facial changes

date ideas for married couples in Singapore

Because most of your new life experiences, both good and bad, are now shared with a partner, this affects how your faces age in a similar way. Frown lines and laugh lines both tend to appear the same way, according to a “facial likeness” study by psychologist Robert Zajonc.

In the study, photos of men and women were paired based on facial similarity by subjects who didn’t know who they were. The matched photos amazingly turned out to be couples, who have been married for 25 years.

3. Your happiness level may be proportional to your level of resemblance

3 Science-backed Reasons Why Couples In Long-term Relationships Start To Look-alike

Image source: iStock

Though it may not have been his intention, Robert Zajonc’s study of “facial-mirroring” stemmed from a deeper psychological principle known as unconscious mimicry, which involves unintentionally copying your partner’s tone of voice, laugh, or stance. This makes us feel more bonded and satisfied in our relationship.

Several studies have also shown that a happy marriage or long-term relationship is related to genetic similarity.

This adorable phenomenon of imbibing your partner’s quirks is also possibly why we look even more alike. As you mimic your partner, albeit unconsciously, you start to resemble them even more!

Have you ever been told that you and your partner are starting to look alike? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
Bathroom Cleaning 101: A Complete Clean in Just 5 Minute Featuring Tips from Zoe Raymond
Bathroom Cleaning 101: A Complete Clean in Just 5 Minute Featuring Tips from Zoe Raymond

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

  • Home
  • /
  • Relationship & Sex
  • /
  • 3 Science-backed Reasons Why Couples In Long-term Relationships Start To Look-alike
Share:
  • Here’s Why Spouses Look Alike After Being in a Long-term Relationship

    Here’s Why Spouses Look Alike After Being in a Long-term Relationship

  • Sexting 101 for Married Couples

    Sexting 101 for Married Couples

  • ‘I’m Still Waiting for Him to Call Me Mum’: Woman Who Left Job to Take Care of 9-Year-Old Son With Rare Angelman Syndrome

    ‘I’m Still Waiting for Him to Call Me Mum’: Woman Who Left Job to Take Care of 9-Year-Old Son With Rare Angelman Syndrome

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • Here’s Why Spouses Look Alike After Being in a Long-term Relationship

    Here’s Why Spouses Look Alike After Being in a Long-term Relationship

  • Sexting 101 for Married Couples

    Sexting 101 for Married Couples

  • ‘I’m Still Waiting for Him to Call Me Mum’: Woman Who Left Job to Take Care of 9-Year-Old Son With Rare Angelman Syndrome

    ‘I’m Still Waiting for Him to Call Me Mum’: Woman Who Left Job to Take Care of 9-Year-Old Son With Rare Angelman Syndrome

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.