Real Life Methods ran from October 2005 to January 2009. This website is archived and no longer maintained. For up to date information, please see www.manchester.ac.uk/realities
About the Living Resemblances project
The Living Resemblances project at the University of Manchester is researching the importance of family resemblances or likenesses in people's everyday lives.
People can resemble others in many ways, for example:
- Looking or sounding like each other
- Behaving or moving in similar ways
- Sharing characteristics or mannerisms
- Having similar likes, dislikes, talents or abilities
Often, people are alike in ways that it is hard to put your finger on. But the idea that characteristics or traits can 'run in families' is a familiar one to most of us, and sometimes it can feel very important.
What topics are we investigating?
- Why do resemblances seem to matter so much? What do they mean to people?
- How and why are resemblances important to people? Can they help to
make people feel
connected to others in their family? What about if a resemblance is not welcomed? - How do people understand how things are passed on in families? Do resemblances always seem to follow scientific rules?
- Are people willing and able to spot resemblances in other families?
