The theory that opposites attract is a myth, scientists have said, after finding that people are only attracted to those who hold the same views and values as themselves.
In a finding hailed as a "paradigm shift" for the understanding of relationships, researchers found like-minded people will be drawn together but keep their distance from those who do not adhere to their beliefs.
It suggests strangers hoping to hit it off would do better to play to their similarities rather than trying to impress the other person with attributes which make them unique.
"Picture two strangers striking up a conversation on a plane, or a couple on a blind date," said Angela Bahns, professor of psychology at Wellesly College, Massachusetts.
"From the very first moments of awkward banter, how similar the two people are is immediately and powerfully playing a role in future interactions. We're arguing that selecting similar others as relationship partners is so common that it could be described as a psychological default."
