A commonly held notion, an overrated cliché: "opposites attract". This is a "common" held belief, a conviction that is worldwide accepted. From the start of time, we have been subject to this phrase time and again, be it from the group of girls we hang out with, or a motherly advice, or a phrase narrated by the English teacher, or a simple fact known to all. We have come to understand that opposites attract. It's a way of complementing each other and understanding each other's differences, be it any kind of relationship. So I was shocked when I read in my Psychology book that this claim is bogus, researchers have found that opposites in fact have less chance of getting attracted to each other. So where did this famous phrase come from? And why is it still so heavily believed in and used?
Inquisitive to test this research and check whether I and our society as a whole had a confirmation bias, that states that we seek information we already believe, I asked questions to fellow students at the U, about the common and the uncommon traits they share with their partners. Some common traits that one might find between couples are their taste for music, art, cuisine and other areas of interest. This they claimed to be the initiator of one's interest for the partner. While the uncommon traits didn't exactly compliment them, but they adapted to; the uncommon traits were the ones that caused disagreements or some type of annoyance. So when I asked the simple question whether they were opposites, the common answer was no. Thus supporting the research that theory that "opposites attract" is not true.
I really appreciate your asking fellow students questions! That's fabulous and sheds the light of the basic principle of psychology, that is, evidence, instead of just our mind thinking.
Albeit, I have a little doubt about the statement in your last sentence of the article, which says that "opposites attract" is not true.I know you may not mean that this cliche is not true. I just think that this statement may be not that adequate, as such paradoxical and vague claims could be described as true or not true.
It seems that things or traits that are good or desiring could attract each other, which do follow the rule of "Opposites Attract". For example, one with literature talent and one who's an expert in his or her science field may be more easily to become friends and appreciate each other, or people with different thoughts or two psychologists separately specialize in Bio part and Social part may easily have appreciation upon each other.(You may refute that these are not that opposite, I mean, absolute opposites. And that's really a problem..) Then opposite things that are neutral can seem attractive to each other too.Like heterogeneous magnets, or male and female in everyday life. But opposites such like Bad to Good or have no tolerance of others can hardly attract each other. For instance, one with capricious mood and one with good temper can hardly attract each other. Or like a Christian and a Muslim with strong religious belief.
Things can be tough. And I'm not a pro for this claim that states opposites attract.Of course as you suggest, there are countless situations in which Opposites Attract are totally nonsense. But sometimes it's quite hard to find generalized rules for them telling us when this proverb works and when not even when we classify them in detail.
These are just my personal opinions.Hope it's not that wrong.
By the way, I like your first picture. That's Romantic!
Now that have proven that I do have confirmation bias, I'm sad :( But still, wouldn't life be dull if we were to (romantically) be with person who likes what we like? I mean I would love to have friends who loved what I loved but then, I prefer a boyfriend who are the opposite of me...