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By: Jessica Salony
The Similarity between the Physical and Personality Traits of One’s Opposite Sex Sibling, Cousin, and Hypothetical Ideal Romantic Partner
Existing literature introduces the theory of sexual imprinting, where women possibly seek men who resemble their fathers and men possibly seek women who resemble their mothers (Marcinkowska & Rantala, 2012).
“Assortative Mating” is defined as a concept where individuals mate based on their similarity, or shared common characteristics. These professionals have found that, individuals are more likely to marry those who share traits and interests than those who exhibit opposite characteristics (Buss, 1985).
Researchers found that females valued the characteristics of socioeconomic status, positive family background, kindness, gentleness, and considerateness more than males. Males valued the characteristics of physical attractiveness, beauty, fragility, and housekeeping skills more than females (Thiessen & Gregg, 1980).
Introduction
Cognitive kin-recognition studies find that when an individual recognizes their sibling, this leads to incest avoidance. The neural circuitry of the brain detects genetic relatedness and triggers a sexual aversion to other kin (Lieberman et. al., 2003).
A brother-sister incest aversion scale was created to assess the magnitude of the Oedipal Complex among siblings instead of parent-child desires. It showed that males displayed less aversion and more variability in incest aversion than females (Arndt & Ladd, 1981).
Researchers studied whether males and females, who are in close proximity and share social interactions, are either drawn towards or away from mating with one another. The Westermarck Effect (1891) is the concept where early childhood social interaction and physical proximity makes a negative impact on sexual interest in later adulthood.
Introduction
To evaluate whether specific personality and appearance traits of one’s opposite sex sibling and cousin are similar to the traits we
desire in an ideal romantic partner.
1) Females will show greater variability than males in how they perceive their sibling/ideal and cousin/ideal.
2) Males will evaluate appearance traits of opposite sex sibling/ideal as being more similar than females.
3) Females will evaluate personality traits of opposite sex sibling/ideal as being more similar than males.
4) Due to the Westermarck effect, people will see greater similarity between cousin/ideal than sibling/ideal in both appearance and personality traits (i.e., incest avoidance).
5) Regarding relationship status, participants will see greater similarity between cousin/ideal than sibling/ideal.
6) There will be no significant differences if someone cheated on their partner or has been cheated on in the past.
7) If a female or male is going through a break-up, there will be significant differences between sibling/ideal than cousin/ideal.
Hypotheses
2 x 2 x 2 Mixed ANOVA
Independent Variable #1
Sex of Participant
Male Female
Independent Variable #2
Evaluated Trait
Physical
Personality
Independent Variable #3
Relationship of
Similarity
Sibling/Ideal
Cousin/Ideal
Statistical Design
Participants (M = 32, F = 88), M= 19.1571% European American 50.8% Freshmen
50% In a Relationship 42% Single 28% Casual Dating77.5% Cheated On 76.7% Cheater 79.2% Going through a
Break-up
Method
Measures for Females
Measures for Males
Measures for All
Measures for All
3
3.4
3.8
4.2
4.6
Results: Main Effects
Dependent Variables: 10 Personality Traits
Desi
red T
rait
Results: Kinship Effects
3
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
Sibling
Cousin Ideal Partner
Cre
ati
vit
y M
ean
3
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5
5.2
Cheater Faithful
Fait
hfu
lness
Mean
Single
Casual
Relationship
Results: Kinship Effects
3
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4
4.2
4.4
4.6
Sibling
Cousin Ideal Partner
Inte
llig
en
ce
Mean
Single Casual Relationship
3
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4
4.2
4.4
Cheater
Faithful
Inte
lligence
M
ean
Regardless if you’re a (1) male or female,(2) single, casually dating, in a relationship,
(3) have cheated on your partner or been cheated on before, your sibling is closer to your
hypothetical ideal partner in intelligence.
In order from most desired traits least desired traits: faithfulness, trust, humor, kindness, intelligence, health, excitement, creativity, adaptability, and spirituality for all participants.
Whether someone is single, casually dating, or in a relationship, their siblings are closer to their ideal when it comes to the personality trait of faithfulness.
For those who have cheated before, their cousin is closer to their ideal partner in creativity. For those who have remained faithful to their partners, their siblings are closer to their creative ideal partner.
Not supporting the Westermarck Effect or my prediction, participants were not more similar to their cousin/ideal than sibling/ideal overall. Why? If you were to see someone who resembles your
sibling, “naturally” you would avoid having an romantic relationship with them
Discussion
Large Sample SizeAdds to Existing
ResearchClear Operational
Definitions
Subject DistributionMeasure EfficiencyMisinterpretation of
Directions
Due to limitations of space and time, only
the Relationship, Cheating, and
Personality Measures will be described and discussed.