COPYCAT FACTOR THAT CAN CAUSE LOVE AFFAIRS !!!

[Daanyeer]

9th May 2010


Men and women choose potential partners by copying other people’s choices, preferring to fall for those who are already a hit with the opposite sex, according to research.

The findings could explain why people have affairs, as they are drawn
to those already in successful relationships.

The ‘copycat syndrome’ has previously been detected in fish and birds but now scientists at Edinburgh University have found similar results in humans.

Eighty students watched videos of speed-dates and chose which of the people
they could imagine having a relationship with.

The speed-daters spoke German, so without understanding what was being said, the subjects showed more interest in those whose dates were visibly successful.

Researchers concluded this demonstrated ‘robust mate-copying effects’, with the students deciding who was attractive on ‘social information’ rather than physical factors.

Asked whether it could explain affairs, researcher Dr Lars Penke said:

‘It could be related but we are just looking at what makes some partners more attractive than others'