A few days ago I ran into her in the library and we haven’t seen each other in like 12 months but her appearance changed and it kind of made me :reigen-sweat: We just talked and caught up, but a pressing question was in the back of my mind the whole time, which is the title of this post.

We usually just refer to each other as “cousins” when talking to other people because it was easier than explaining the family tree. No, I don’t plan on doing anything with her. We don’t have much in common and we grew up together so it’s weird even if she wasn’t related to anyone in my family. But, I am normal right?

  • Frank [he/him, he/him]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Yeah, there's a whole theoretical mechanism where people who grow up together in close quarters tend not to be attracted to each other. This is presumably an evolved mechanism to avoid incest. But if you don't grow up together in close proximity it doesn't kick in.

    • RNAi [he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Hi, I'm here from the Anti-EvoPsyBullshit Department to kindly tell you to shut up.

      • FourteenEyes [he/him]
        ·
        2 years ago

        I thought the Westermarck Effect had some amount of empirical backing though?

        • RNAi [he/him]
          ·
          2 years ago

          No idea really, I'm not a psy medical professional, I just know that 99% of EvoPsy, especially if it comes from USA, is garbage.

          • SerLava [he/him]
            ·
            2 years ago

            Evolutionary psychology is bullshit yeah, but I'm pretty sure that one thing is real and anecdotally, I grew up with several very attractive people who are known primarily for being attractive and I don't find them at all attractive even though they don't look very different from those I do find attractive.