9 Psychological Facts About Attraction
Have you ever wondered why you are attracted to certain types of people? What is it that draws you into someone? Is it their look, their smile, the confidence they exude? Well, for years, researchers have studied the science of attraction, looking into why and how certain factors can affect how appealing you are to others. There are subtle cues your body sends out to express attraction and also to attract others. Things such as your body language and the pitch of your voice can have an impact. So here are 9 psychological facts about attraction.
1. Scent Plays a Larger Role Than You Think
I’ve noticed that there have been moments when someone’s scent caught my attention, and it seemed to create a unique attraction. It’s intriguing to think that our body odor can carry genetic information that influences attraction.
Were you ever attracted to someone because of their scent? Odor can be a useful indicator of genetic diseases, such as schizophrenia and diabetes. Major histocompatibility complex or MHC genes are genes that help the immune system identify foreign substances in the body. A study by Claus Wedekind at the University of Bern in Switzerland found that the differences of these MHC genes secreted through men’s sweat glands can actually affect women’s attraction ratings. They found that women preferred men with differing MHC profiles.
2. Sound, Too
I’ve always been curious about the impact of voices on attraction. It’s interesting to learn that huskier voices are generally considered more attractive. I’ll pay more attention to the voices around me and see if I notice this pattern.
Do you have a high-pitched or a low-pitched voice? Susan Hughes and her team of researchers at Albright College found that, regardless of gender, people were more attracted to those who had huskier or sexier voices. They found that people often lower their voice to indicate a higher level of physiological arousal, which may be why you find huskier voices more attractive.
3. Facial Symmetry May Play a Role
I’ve often heard about the importance of facial symmetry in beauty standards, but understanding its connection to evolutionary screening adds a new layer of insight. It makes me reflect on the subtle ways we perceive attractiveness.
Although beauty standards change depending on culture and period, facial symmetry is a constant measure of beauty. It’s an evolutionary screening method that ensures safety and longevity for future children. While having a perfectly symmetrical face is impossible, the sum of tiny imperfections and how they balance each other out is what creates good facial symmetry. But it’s important to note that an overexpression of those imperfections may be a sign of an ongoing disadvantage or potential handicap.
4. Similarity
The idea that perceived similarity plays a role in later stages of a relationship resonates with me. Looking back, I can see how shared beliefs and interests have deepened my connections with others over time.
Have you ever heard of the saying ‘birds of a feather flock together’? A meta-analysis conducted in 2008 by Montoya, Horton, and Kirchner found that those who shared similarities or believed they shared similarities with their partner found their partner more attractive. It’s important to note that actual similarity only played a role in the early development of the relationship, while perceived similarity played a role in later stages.
5. Self-Assurance Can Win People Over
Being comfortable in my own skin has always been a goal, and it’s interesting to see how self-assurance can impact how others perceive us. I’ll be more mindful of this and observe how confidence influences social interactions.
Are you comfortable in your own skin? Do heads turn when you walk into a room? Self-awareness is the confidence or trust in who you are regardless of how you measure up compared to others. Those who are self-assured walk the narrow ledge between self-doubt and arrogance. You don’t feel the need to compete or belittle others and instead are more willing to compliment others. This allows others to feel more comfortable around you.
6. Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact has always felt like a powerful form of communication to me. It’s intriguing to learn that it correlates with stronger feelings of affection. I’ll pay closer attention to the role of eye contact in my relationships.
Do you tend to hold eye contact with your partner, or do you always look away? A study in 1989 found that couples who maintained eye contact with each other reported stronger feelings of affection, passion, love, dispositional love, and liking for their partner. Making eye contact with someone shows intentionality. It lets the other person know that you are alert, focused, and interested.
7. Proximity
The exposure effect and the idea that familiarity breeds attraction make a lot of sense. I can think of instances where spending more time with someone has indeed strengthened the bond and increased attraction.
Are you aware that the more you spend your time with someone, the more attractive they become? It’s a phenomenon known as the exposure effect. You become more attracted to those who are always near you because they become familiar to you. A study conducted in 2006 surveyed married and long-term couples and found that 38% of these couples became acquainted through the same job, school, or church. It shows everyone’s evolutionary tendency to gravitate towards the familiar.
8. Mirroring
I’ve observed couples mirroring each other’s body language, and it’s fascinating to think of it as an unconscious expression of attraction. I’ll be more attentive to these subtle cues in my own interactions.
Have you noticed that couples tend to copy each other’s body language? Perhaps they cross their legs at the same time or yawn simultaneously. This is because people who are attracted to each other tend to unconsciously mimic and mirror each other’s movements. It’s a sign of empathy, trust, and connection.
9. Blushing
Blushing as a sign of interest is something I’ve noticed in myself and others. Understanding its evolutionary roots adds a new dimension to its significance. It’s a subtle yet powerful signal in the realm of attraction.
One of the last factors for attraction is blushing. While it can mean many different things such as feeling shy, frustrated, or self-conscious, in the context of dating, it means that you are interested. Not only does it signal to your date that you are interested, but it has evolutionary roots as well. It mimics the after-sex flush that signals fertility, which can make you seem more attractive.
What signs of attraction have you noticed in yourself or your partner? Let us know in the comments below.
