The (rare) phenomenon of attraction between family members, particularly those separated early in life, is theorized to stem from a disruption of a natural psychological mechanism called the Westermarck effect.
Understanding the Westermarck Effect
The Westermarck effect is a psychological hypothesis that suggests that individuals who grow up in close proximity during early childhood are desensitized to sexual attraction toward one another. Essentially, familiarity breeds a lack of attraction, preventing incestuous relationships.
How the Westermarck Effect Works:
- Proximity during childhood: The key factor is co-residence and close interaction during the formative years.
- Desensitization to attraction: This early closeness leads to a subconscious aversion to sexual attraction between those individuals.
- Incest avoidance: The Westermarck effect is believed to have evolved as a mechanism to reduce the likelihood of inbreeding and its associated negative genetic consequences.
The Role of Separation
The provided reference highlights that the Westermarck effect requires early and consistent co-residence. When biological relatives are separated at a young age, this crucial period of desensitization doesn't occur. Therefore:
Separation and Attraction:
- Foreclosure of the Westermarck effect: Separation prevents the psychological desensitization process from taking place.
- Lack of learned aversion: Without the Westermarck effect, individuals may not develop the typical subconscious aversion to sexual attraction towards their close relatives.
- Potential for attraction: Upon meeting later in life, the normal barriers to attraction between family members may be absent, potentially leading to romantic or sexual feelings.
In summary, the (rare) cases of attraction between family members, especially those separated early in life, are thought to arise because the separation prevents the Westermarck effect from functioning properly, removing a natural barrier to such attraction.
