At the opening of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Beijing.

At the opening of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Beijing.

We are friendlier to people who resemble us

We feel more altruistic to those who resemble us because in the past our early ancestors assumed that they were related, according to the study.The instinct dates back to when there were no mirrors and people could learn what their kin looked like only by inspecting the faces of household members.The study, published in Biology Letters, even found that we were more naturally drawn to people who looked like us than our own relatives, if the resemblance was strong enough.

We are friendlier to people who resemble us

We feel more altruistic to those who resemble us because in the past our early ancestors assumed that they were related, according to the study.The instinct dates back to when there were no mirrors and people could learn what their kin looked like only by inspecting the faces of household members.The study, published in Biology Letters, even found that we were more naturally drawn to people who looked like us than our own relatives, if the resemblance was strong enough.

A naturalization ceremony at Camp Victory in Baghdad Tuesday (AP)

A naturalization ceremony at Camp Victory in Baghdad Tuesday (AP)

Olivier awards 2009: the contenders (9 pictures)

Olivier awards 2009: the contenders (9 pictures)