Opposites apparently don't attract

A report on MSNBC tells about a study done where people ultimately are happier and in relationships longer with people who are more like them. However, another study found that most singles actively look for someone who isn't like them.

So, it begs the question, are some singles setting themselves up for failure?

"A study conducted by the University of Iowa in 2005, for example, stated that similarity in personality was more important than similarities in attitude, religion, and values in forming a happy marriage. Like-minded people validate each other's beliefs and views, and there tend to be fewer conflicts as a result."

This goes back to the blog post from yesterday, where the "type" that a person may continually go back to is actually the worst kind of person for them.

It makes sense that personalities that are more complimentary would be more compatible. There is a greater understanding between the two people as they have experienced similar things in their lives. Also, what may be "opposite" may really not be that opposite. For instance, I tend to be very high-strung and emotional while my husband is very relaxed and logical. This would seem to be opposite. However, we share the same core values behind our actions and are easy-going about a lot of similar things in our lives. It is this that forms more of a commonality than the superficial "opposite" that it seems to be. Connecting and relating to someone on a deeper level, and the ability to do this, may be more of the key than matching a laundry list of likes and dislikes.

In the end, it seems that the only thing that really holds singles back is themselves. They put too much value on what they think they want and limit themselves- and that limitation is what is jeopardizing the chance of happiness.