Characters vs. Everyday People

Why I like to compare people I know with characters in books.

I recently realized, while talking to a friend, that I often compare the actions or even personality of those I know to those I read about in book. Why?

One such reason is that it helps me understand the book better. If I can see a person I interact with in everyday life acting in a particular manner and then read some of those traits in a book I feel like I know the character and can understand their actions better and more clearly. They are even more personable (the character) because I have related with those I know and feel like I can and do relate with the character.

Another reason is that it helps me understand those around me better too. By analyzing the characters in the books I can understand the personality of those I know without analyzing them, I honestly feel guilty when I analyze those I know, so this way I don't analyze the particular person.