Traditional thinking suggests opposites attract. But as we learned in this new video from BrainCraft — PBS’s digital studio series about neuroscience and psychology — this is more the exception than the rule (or a myth, depending on who you ask).

Positive assortative mating is the scientific term used when people find partners who mirror their personal traits, such as a similar education or career. And in fact, a majority of studies have found people are likely to pair up with those who have similar facial features and height, while others have shown we prefer those with the same body fat, race, even disorders, like anxiety or depression.

But we didn’t just make up the idea opposites attract, too. A 2009 study found real couples had significantly more differences between them, which researchers concluded has to do with genetic variability. The fact men and women date people who are their opposite may be an evolutionary strategy to ensure they have healthy children.

More recently, The Washington Post cited an Ally Bank survey that found 55 percent of Americans are attracted to people who are good at budgeting and saving; 18 percent are drawn to those who pinch their pennies in order to avoid debt altogether. A pretty great quality if you yourself struggle to be fiscally responsible.

"These findings show that in addition to improving your financial well-being, there is a romantic appeal to fiscal discipline, and establishing a budget and a savings plan are also good ways to add peace and harmony in the family," Diane Morais, Ally Bank Deposits and Line of Business Integration Executive, said in a press release.

Still, we have to admit science isn't really in favor of opposites being attracted to one another. Not that this should stop you from conducting your own personal research.