The idea that people are attracted to partners who have similar personalities has been studied extensively by social scientists.
Recent research suggests that individuals also prefer mates with qualities they do not possess themselves. This preference may be related to a desire for complementary abilities or simply an interest in novelty.
One quality that is particularly important in close relationships is empathy, which refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathic individuals tend to be more sensitive to others' emotions and behaviors than those lacking this trait. They are also better able to respond appropriately when interacting with others. It might be expected, then, that individuals would value potential partners who demonstrate high levels of empathy.
It is unclear how empathy relates to romantic attraction and partner selection. Some studies suggest that admiration of empathy predicts partner bonding, while others find no such effect. To resolve these inconsistencies, researchers conducted a systematic review of existing literature on the topic. They examined 48 articles published between 1970 and 2017 that investigated the relationship between empathy and various aspects of interpersonal processes, including mate choice, relationship satisfaction, and attachment styles.
Their analysis revealed a consistent pattern across different types of samples and methods. Specifically, participants reported greater empathy toward romantic partners, greater admiration of empathy in prospective partners, and higher ratings of their own empathy. These results indicate that empathy is an attractive trait in potential partners and that people may seek out others who have similar or contrasting characteristics.
Empathetic individuals may benefit from having emotionally resonant interactions with others. They may also feel closer to partners who can accurately perceive their feelings and respond with sensitivity. In addition, empathic people may be drawn to partners who possess qualities they do not possess themselves, such as creativity or physical strength. This could result in more satisfying relationships overall.
In sum, admiration for empathy appears to play a role in partner bonding.
Further research is needed to understand the nuances of this phenomenon. It remains possible that other factors (e.g., similarity of values) are more important than empathy per se. Further work should consider the contextual influences on how individuals evaluate empathy and its importance for relationship quality.
How does admiration of empathy predict partner bonding?
Past research has indicated that there is an association between high levels of interpersonal relationship closeness and increased empathic concern. According to this theory, people who are highly empathic tend to be able to put themselves in another's shoes and understand their emotions better than those with lower levels of empathy. As a result, they may be more likely to form close bonds with others.