On Mon, 23 Aug 1999, Rick Adams wrote:
> Seriously, there are a bit "simpler" (and more realistic) ways of
> explaining both of these topics.
>
> Couples: Couples tend to resemble each other (in appearance, not
> mannerisms or tastes--which can be learned, of course) for a number of
> reasons, including:
>
> 1. Similar backgrounds (which includes similar racial/genetic types,
> ethnic similarities in appearance, etc.).
>
> 2. Similar eating habits & athletic levels (which leads to similar body
> types).
>
> 3. Similar tastes in clothing, grooming, etc. (which leads to visual
> association in the observer).
>
> 4. Self-attraction (a _strong_ influence in many parts of the gay
> culture) in which people are attracted to those who physically resemble
> themselves in some manner (i.e., the "Castro Clone" in the glbt culture).
>
> Pets: Here, also, more reasonable ways of explaining the issue exist,
> including:
>
> 1. Association of a pet with a self-perceived "disposition." In other
> words, the individual who perceives him/her-self to be "sophisticated"
> will be attracted to both "sophisticated looking" pets and personal
> grooming behaviors which reflect that attitude. But since animals do _not_
> actually display such traits (as animals), the attraction will be to the
> anthropmorized form of the attitude (appearance as symbol) and the person
> will be attracted to the pet that resembles the image s/he would like to
> display.
>
> 2. Same as #4 above.
>
> 3. Essentially the opposite of #1--the person may tend to cultivate an
> image in him/her-self that reflects the "disposition" of the
> animal-companion s/he has selected.
>
> In other words, if you prefer pet tarantulas to pet kittens, you probably
> don't cultivate a "cute" image for yourself! :-)
>
> Rick <---Who has five cats; go figure.
> --
>
Thanks RicK for a thoughtful analysis of the situation.
Will bag it for my my human growth and development section.
Michael Sylvester
Daytona Beach,Florida
