Wear the Detective Hat for 30 Pics in This “Siblings or Dating” Quiz

Why Do Some Couples Look Like Brother and Sister?

Couples that look alike might sound quirky, but there are a few scientific reasons behind their resemblance:

1. The mere exposure effect: We tend to choose partners with similar traits instinctively, preferring faces and features we're already familiar with, including similar physical appearance.
2. Copycat partners: Couples naturally mirror each other's expressions and body language over time, which can make them look like they grew up together. Scientists confirm that partners influence each other's habits throughout long-term relationships, much like siblings who share a household.
3. Love glow: Mutual happiness makes couples radiate similarly, leading us to perceive them as more alike. Psychologist Robert Zajonc's 1987 study suggested lifestyle and compatibility play a role, though clinical evidence for actual face-shifting remains thin.
4. Perception: Even after removing external features like hairstyle, experiments show couples are still perceived as facially similar. The New York Post even coined a term for it: "doppelbangers."
5. Personality and age: Couples that look alike are also perceived as similar in personality and age, both of which independently contribute to facial similarity.

Looking alike doesn't guarantee compatibility, but it's a fun twist in any love story. Real connection comes from shared values, communication, and understanding.