In the first academic study of its kind, researchers analysed complicated sequences in personality of the people who became best friends and found that their relationships thrived because of the differences in their personalities. A team at Keystone College, a private university in Pennsylvania say this only explains why people become best friends, not why marriage partners are compatible.
While the study shows close friendships thrive because a pair are different in their outlook, they found romance partners should be ‘largely similar’.
This made me consider how my own marriage works. My husband and I are alike in many ways; both first-born, both leaders, and both assertive. Hehe. That makes things interesting at times, but the challenge can be overcome. And so, what I'd considered to be a reason for disharmony in my marriage partnership, is the opposite.
I'll bet your mind is going that way too. But, let's look at the intricate personality traits.
While the study shows close friendships thrive because a pair are different in their outlook, they found romance partners should be ‘largely similar’.
This made me consider how my own marriage works. My husband and I are alike in many ways; both first-born, both leaders, and both assertive. Hehe. That makes things interesting at times, but the challenge can be overcome. And so, what I'd considered to be a reason for disharmony in my marriage partnership, is the opposite.
I'll bet your mind is going that way too. But, let's look at the intricate personality traits.
Friends - MorgueFile 1) EASCO: extrovert, agreeable, emotionally stable, conscientious and open to change.
2) IDCNO: introverted, tough-minded, conscientious, neurotic and open to change.
3) IDUNT: introverted, tough-minded, restless, neurotic and traditional.
I fall under the first category. How about you?
Now to the study:
Researchers asked students to describe themselves and their best friends with a personality index based on listed traits. Finding: the person most likely to be chosen as a friend is an EASCO. Such extroverts find it easier to make friends quickly, but often need a more introverted friend to balance them out—one in the second or third category—quieter people who can tease, challenge and calm them.
The IDCNO type, described by the college’s team as the ‘quiet, anxious’ friend who ‘thinks about risks and is still willing to try it’, tend to choose a tougher type for a friend who helps them by ignoring problems.
The IDUNT will tend to choose as a best friend someone who is more agreeable and open than they are. Source: Daily Mail.
As for best friends, I never had one because of constant shifting from place to place since childhood. I wish circumstances could change, but I like to think my 'cloud friends' replace close personal contact.
Do you have a best friend? Do these results ring true for you?
2) IDCNO: introverted, tough-minded, conscientious, neurotic and open to change.
3) IDUNT: introverted, tough-minded, restless, neurotic and traditional.
I fall under the first category. How about you?
Now to the study:
Researchers asked students to describe themselves and their best friends with a personality index based on listed traits. Finding: the person most likely to be chosen as a friend is an EASCO. Such extroverts find it easier to make friends quickly, but often need a more introverted friend to balance them out—one in the second or third category—quieter people who can tease, challenge and calm them.
The IDCNO type, described by the college’s team as the ‘quiet, anxious’ friend who ‘thinks about risks and is still willing to try it’, tend to choose a tougher type for a friend who helps them by ignoring problems.
The IDUNT will tend to choose as a best friend someone who is more agreeable and open than they are. Source: Daily Mail.
As for best friends, I never had one because of constant shifting from place to place since childhood. I wish circumstances could change, but I like to think my 'cloud friends' replace close personal contact.
Do you have a best friend? Do these results ring true for you?
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