What Is The Science Of Attraction?
Have you ever met someone and instantly felt attracted to them? Maybe you've talked to someone online that you were super excited about, but as soon as you met them, you just knew that you weren’t attracted to them? That is the science of attraction at work. There are distinct features about the people you meet that your subconscious mind forms opinions about before you consciously realize anything. That’s why the reaction seems instantaneous because consciously, you don’t know what it is about them that suddenly attracts you (or detracts you).
What is the science of attraction?
To put it very simply, the science of attraction is what tells you, as soon as you meet someone, whether you’re attracted to them or not. It’s where love at first sight comes from and where that instant dislike for someone comes from, along with other instant judgments. But in truth, there are a lot of different factors that go into it. Even though you don’t notice it, all of your senses are tuned in to this person you're meeting, and each one gets to weigh in on the decision about what you think.
Physical features
Yes, the way someone looks plays the most important role in whether or not you like them. It may seem shallow or like something you would never do, but it is a very common factor. What may make you feel a little better is that it is not just one body type or look that everyone is looking for.
Healthy, clear skin, bright eyes, and shiny hair are some of the most important features thought of as attractive, and they can encompass a range of different body types, eye colors, hair colors, and skin colors (plus more). It has also been found that people who have a good childhood will be more attracted to people they think share common features with their opposite-sex parent.
Eye contact
When talking about eye contact and attraction, be aware that eye contact is an important factor of attraction. If eye contact is sustained with a person for longer than a few seconds, there may be something there. No, this does not mean that the guy who is always staring at you wherever you go should be your next big love interest. You may want to talk to someone about him because he sounds like a stalker. If you look at someone across the room, and every time you look, they look away because they were looking at you, this is also a sign of attraction.
Your nose
Yep, the way that someone smells has a role in how you feel about them as well. There are two different aspects to what you smell on a person, and it has nothing to do with their cologne or perfume. Instead, the first is about their immune system. Yep, you can smell their immune system. Bet you had no idea your nose could do that, did you? Women tend to be more attracted to a man whose immune system is the opposite of hers, and she can smell that.
Pheromones are the second aspect of smell when it comes to picking a mate as they signal genetic compatibility. These are smells that you do not consciously notice, but they can play a role in how you feel. They are chemicals that leave your body and can be received by someone else. Women can smell testosterone, or rather the metabolites from testosterone, which signal strength. Men can smell copulins, which is a pheromone produced during ovulation in women. So yes, men are more attracted to ovulating women, but they do not even realize it is happening.
Your ears
The way someone sounds is likely to attract you as well. Men tend to like women with higher-pitched voices. Women tend to like men with deeper-sounding voices. It makes sense, and it is hard-wired. Women have a hard time forgetting men with a deeper voice, and research has found that the deeper the voice, the more a woman will remember. It is something happening when you listen to how they talk, and you may become attracted as you talk to them more or listen to them more.
Is that other person laughing, or do they make you laugh for no reason? Do you find yourself laughing at their stupid jokes even though you know they are silly? That is a sign of attraction. It could be nervousness because we all know that we get nervous when we are around someone we like, even if we do not know that we like them. Or maybe they seem to laugh differently with you than they do with others. This is the science of attraction at work.
Your touch
Finally, we get to touch. We are not talking about touching that other person, though. We are talking about the things that you are touching when you come into contact with that person. Were you holding something hot or cold? Were you sitting somewhere comfortable or not?
These things can impact how you feel about a person instinctively and how you judge them as well. This is true even in non-romantic relationships and occurs when you’re meeting new people in general. You will want to try to feel comfortable and stick with warm rather than cold items to keep yourself more interested in the person you're with.
However, touching each other is another sign of attraction. Of course, if you accidentally brush up against someone or your fingers touch for just a second and you feel a tingle of excitement, you are attracted. That tingle of excitement is your hormones telling you that you are interested in this person and that they may be into you too.
If the person goes out of their way to casually touch you, they may be attracted to you and are trying to give you a hint. Take the initiative and touch their arm or hand and make eye contact with them and see where it goes from there.
The kiss
Finally, when everything else is over, and you have intrinsically started to make up your mind about the person, the first kiss may seal the deal. How the kiss goes will cause you to decide whether or not you move forward with the relationship or whether you want to cancel things before they get started. In fact, over 50% of men and women (59% of men and 66% of women) say they have ended a relationship because of the first kiss. That is a lot of pressure, but it is not all on you; it is also on your date.
Different types of attraction
However, there are different kinds of attractions. Sexual attraction is the easy one to figure out. This is the kind of electrical attraction you get when you want to be sexually intimate with someone else. This is an automatic response similar to breathing and eating, and you cannot stop it. However, you can control it, and you should because this attraction can get you into trouble if you react too quickly. For a good relationship, you need to have other forms of attraction as well.
Romantic attraction is the feeling of being interested in and caring about that other person. You may feel sexually attracted to this person in the course of being together, but you also want to be around the other person in general because you like them. This is where the difference between lust and love comes into play. Lust is when you are just sexually attracted to a person, but love is when you like the person and are interested in more than just sex.
You may feel a motherly or fatherly attraction to someone younger who seems to need help or comes to you for advice. Or you may meet a new friend and feel like you've known each other for a long time. This is a form of emotional attraction, which might lead to love later on but it’s actually due to the release of several hormones in the body. For instance, dopamine release drives us to be open with each other or invites others to open up to us. Did you ever notice that some people feel like they can tell you anything? Or maybe you feel like you can tell someone else things you would not tell anyone else. That is an emotional attraction.
Discuss attraction with a mental health professional
If you are struggling with opening up to people, you might want to consider reaching out for help. There are plenty of amazing people out there in the world, and finding someone for you to be with is possible, if that's what you're looking for. If getting to know other people is difficult, however, it may be time to seek out professional help. Finding a professional that you feel comfortable with may make it easier for you to open up to others and feel more comfortable meeting new people.
One way to get help is via online therapy. Online therapy has helped many people, including participants from different sides of the world, who struggle with finding and keeping relationships. With an online therapist, you can discover what's holding you back and you can work on strategies for getting to know more people and look for that attraction you may desire.
Exploring the science of attraction with online therapy
Regain is a great way for you to get the mental health support that you are looking for. No matter what you are currently going through, there are professionals out there who can help you. Regain is a completely online service where you can talk to a therapist about anything and feel comfortable doing so. You can be sitting in your favorite chair, at the kitchen table, on vacation, at a business retreat, or anywhere at all. The only requirement is an internet connection and a willingness to help yourself.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What makes you sexually attracted to someone?
Sexual attraction is part of the science of love and is linked to several hormones related to sexual health such as dopamine. Dopamine is the reward hormone released when we do something that makes us feel good, such as sexual intercourse with sexual partners. Pheromones, a type of sex hormone produced in the brain by animals and people, also play a role in sexual attraction as they serve as messengers and influence sexual behavior. Norepinephrine is also released during sexual attraction, and the combination of the two hormones makes you giddy when around someone to whom you are sexually attracted.
Another hormone called oxytocin is linked to sexual attraction and love. It’s also known as the “cuddle hormone” or “love hormone” because it makes you feel ecstatic when you’re in love. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter associated with happiness. When you’re attracted to someone, your brain releases serotonin, together with dopamine and oxytocin, causing you to feel hyped.
What are the five types of attraction?
The five types of attraction are:
Sexual Attraction: Part of the science of love and sexual health. Looking at someone and feeling sexually pulled to them and desiring to become sexual partners. Sexual attraction and romantic attraction are not the same things.
Romantic Attraction: Romantic love, or true love, is found when you want to be in a relationship with a person and fall in love. It also means you’re emotionally and physically drawn to that person that you constantly seek for their presence in your life. It is also part of the science of love where two people become romantic partners, though romantic and sexual attraction is not the same.
Physical Attraction: The desire to be around others and to be physically cared for with adoration. When you fall in love, you also experience lust. In the early stages of physical attraction, you understand the subtle cues your body responds to, such as a sexy image of the person, their smell, and how they lead interactions. These sensory experiences often create a strong sense of connection, which can lead to strong physical desires.
Emotional Attraction: To be emotionally present with another person. This is required for true love. It focuses more on the ability of the person to comfort you rather than his looks, which gives you a sense of power and security.
Aesthetic Attraction: This is when you see someone walking down the street, and you think they look good, but the attraction ends there.
How do you know a man is attracted to you?
Figuring out if a guy is attracted to you may not be easy. However, several behaviors and body language may indicate that he likes you.
Signs a man is attracted to you:
Physical touch
Eye contact
He takes extra care of his appearance
He flirts with you any chance he gets
His voice deepens
You catch him staring at you
What are common indicators of attractiveness in men?
The physical traits that make a woman attracted to men vary based on the woman, as women are attracted to different physical features. That said, some common physical traits women are attracted to men are:
Facial hair
Body hair
Signs of physical activity—a toned chest, muscular calves and arms, and a toned physique
Good hair
Traits associated with attractiveness in men
The five stages of attraction are:
Stage 1: Physical Attraction: This is where a person notices features and traits about another person that lead them to want to spend more time around that person. By spending time together, you get insights into their inner qualities, which can influence your overall impression of them.
Stage 2: Intellectual Attraction: Once someone gets to know you, they will enjoy your company, and the things you talk about will make you more attractive to them. This is also where they discover the qualities they love about you and those they cannot stand. He’ll try to know your belief as a person, background, education, values, and interests to understand you more deeply.
Stage 3: Obsession: This stage falls during the process of romantic love, or true love, where a person falling in love with another person may find themselves obsessed with their love interest. This tends to happen after a few dates and physical intimacy.
Stage 4: Confirmation: Your person will confirm your relationship with a title, such as partner, girlfriend, or boyfriend.
Stage 5: Romantic Love: This stage is part of finding true love. After some time, a person will fall in love with and adore another person and may potentially want to spend the rest of their life with them if it’s true love. As two people become more than just romantic partners, they become happier and enjoy a much deeper emotional bond like no one else in the world.
Is there a science behind attraction?
Yes. Scientific studies show that dopamine release is linked to happiness which a person experiences when physically attracted to another.
What causes intense attraction to someone?
According to research, several factors can cause intense attraction to someone such as human nature, chemistry, or the nature of hormones between two opposite sexes. Researchers have explained that when a person is excited, it is due to the release of hormones in the body called “dopamine.”
Can you sense if someone is attracted to you?
Yes. Certain signs will show if a person is drawn to you. For example, he might try to get close to you and your loved ones, get involved in important events in your life, say some sweet words, and show support for your interests such as music, poetry, or dance.
What is the psychology behind attraction?
The psychology of attraction is complex as it involves a lot of factors such as dopamine release. Researchers explain that when a person is attracted to someone, it's often the dopamine release that’s involved, making them feel happy. Dopamine release is the chemical response that fuels the desire to be close and connected.
How to tell if a guy feels a connection with you?
There are many ways to tell if a guy feels a connection. For instance, his hormones might drive him to make an effort to get close to you, make sweet gestures, and thoughtful compliments. You might also assume he's attracted to you based on his body language such as leaning close to you and making subtle touches. However, certain people start with a common ground like a hobby, love for music, or interest in dancing.
What is the first thing that attracts you to someone?
The first thing that draws you to someone is physical attractiveness, which many participants in various research studies typically cite as a key factor. This initial attraction can feel sweet and exciting, as we assume we may easily fall in love based on surface impressions.
According to Boston University professor Charles Chu in his research, people tend to like others who have similar interests like music, politics, or books. Another research also reveals that we fancy certain people due to familiarity. However, although these things can give us initial insight regarding a person, it’s up to us to take it to the “next page” of the relationship.
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