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Now back to the video! 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.
Number One: Scent plays a larger role than you think
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.
Number Two: Sound, too
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.
Number Three: Facial symmetry may play a role
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. Number Four: Similarity
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.
Number Five: Self-assurance can win people over
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. Number Six: Eye contact
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.
Number Seven: Proximity
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.
Number Eight: Mirroring
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.
Number Nine: Blushing
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. If you find this video interesting, be sure to like and
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The references and studies used in this video are added in the description below.
Thanks for watching and see you in our next video!
Thanks for watching! Video by Psych2go.