Health: Mood News.(interpersonal relations)

MOOD news

Couples and Looks

i

t's well-known that people highly value good looks when choosing a mate, but conventional wisdom suggests that after a few years of marriage, couples begin to place less importance on each other's appearance. In fact, that's not the case, according to Todd K. Shackelford, a psychologist at Florida Atlantic University. He and researchers elsewhere surveyed 27 couples during the first and fourth years of marriage. They found that preferences for most qualities in a relationship-including similar religious background, shared political beliefs, their partner's good health, and most of all, mutual love-remained the same over time. But in contrast to the researchers' expectations, at the four-year mark, women's desire for a good-looking partner was as strong as it had been initially, and among men, its importance actually increased significantly. However, for both men and women, certain personality traits-particularly a pleasing disposition and dependable character-did become more valued over time.

65%

of people surveyed said they communicate with a sibling at least once a week.

-Journal of Personal and Social Relationships