Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Post-Movie Subliminal Measurement (PMSM), for Investigating Implicit Social Bias
Published on: February 29, 2020
Facial resemblances between heterosexual, gay, and lesbian couples
Ernest L Abel1, Michael L Kruger
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. eabel@wayne.edu
Abstract:
Researchers have noted a physical resemblance (homophily) between human sex partners. To date, these studies and their related interpretations have been based on heterosexual couples. The present study compared physical resemblances between gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples, using 40 photographs of each from national newspapers, which were rated by 34 men and 56 women (M age = 53 yr., SD = 12.1). Half the photographs were of actual couples and half were randomly mixed within each group. Actual couples were rated as significantly more similar in appearance than random pairings of people. Ratings of similarity were significantly higher (indicating greater perceived homophily) for gay couples than heterosexual couples, while there was no statistically significant difference in similarity ratings between lesbian couples versus gay and heterosexual couples. The results were interpreted in terms of evolutionary and parental imprinting hypotheses.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Relationship Formation
Factors Influencing Attraction III: Similarity
Equivalent Couples
Two couples are considered to be equivalent if they produce the same rotational effect on a rigid body. In other words, the two couples have the same magnitude and act in the same direction, causing the same angular displacement or acceleration in the body.
For instance, consider two couples lying in the plane of the page, with one having a pair of equal...
Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
Desirable Characteristics in Others
Facial Feedback Hypothesis

