Regardless of your courting style, physical attraction is often crucial at the start of a romantic relationship. But what determines this mysterious force that pulls two people together? Read on for some fascinating theories around the topic.
Survival of the Fittest
Evolutionary psychologists argue that physical traits and pheromones can signal good genes to pass on to offspring. Moreover, certain physical traits like waist-to-hip ratio in women are thought to indicate fertility.
Societal Standards of Beauty
Depending on the time period you were raised and live in, what is deemed attractive can greatly vary. In the 1990s, the skinny supermodel was the feminine ideal. Now, curvy influencers are prominent in our media.
Physical Type
We’ve all heard the question, “So what’s your type?” Many individuals claim to be consistently attracted to one look whether that’s a woman who likes her men “tall, dark, handsome” or a man who likes his women to be “blond” or “curvy.” This can stem from a variety of influences such as upbringing, similarity, societal standards, etc.
Symmetry
Throughout human history we’ve shown a preference for symmetry and faces are no exception. One possible explanation for this is that symmetrical faces may take less brain power to process. Regardless, we seem hardwired to associate symmetry with beauty.
Environment
How attractive we find someone isn’t always dependent on how they look. In one classic study conducted by Donald Dutton and Arthur Aron (1974), men were asked to either walk onto a high, shaky bridge or low, more stable one. At which point, a female experimenter would walk on and offer her name and phone number. The men on the high, shaky bridge were more likely to take the number and call the experimenter later and ask her on a date; they had misattributed their arousal to sexual attraction instead of fear.
Beyond Physical Attraction: The Role of Personality
These are some of the many reasons two individuals are drawn together – many of which are subject to change. After all, people and society are fluid, constantly changing their idea of what’s attractive and beautiful. And that’s okay, because looks and lust can be fleeting and it is an emotional connection that keeps two individuals together.
In one 2010 study, researchers Cheryl Boudreaux and Princess Braxton-Davis, found that physical attractiveness ranked second to personality as a determinant to attraction and falling in love. Moreover, personality was associated most with a long-term relationship, whereas physical attraction was associated with lust.
Shared behavioral patterns, backgrounds, and ideologies were also important for long-term success. These results mirror numerous studies that people desire partners who are similar to themselves and embody their ideals.
So, although physical attraction often opens the door to a relationship, an emotional connection allows us to step into a relationship.
Trust the Experts at Maclynn
Maclynn International is a boutique, multi-award-winning introductions agency with offices in New York, New Jersey, California, and London. We’re world-renowned for combining professional consultation and psychological principles to bring highly compatible individuals together.
Get in touch today so we can look through our vast network of singles to find your perfect match, beautiful on the inside and out.
