The psychology of attraction is quite important – it is no mistake that we fall for particular partners, but rather a combination of several elements occurring at once. This also means that it is possible to enhance attraction, for instance, by wearing red or adopting an open body posture. In this post, we take a closer look at the laws ruling the psychology of attraction – we invite you to read on!
Definition of Attraction in Psychology
First, let us take a look at the definition of attraction in the realm of psychology. For that, we shall quote the APA Dictionary of Psychology, which provides two definitions:
“[Psychology is] the interest in and liking of one individual by another, or the mutual interest and liking between two or more individuals. Interpersonal attraction may be based on shared experiences or characteristics, physical appearance, internal motivation (e.g., for affiliation), or some combination of these. Also called interpersonal attraction.”
“[Psychology is] in environmental psychology, a quality affecting proximity between individuals. For example, male–female and female–female pairs who enjoy each other’s company position themselves closer to each other than do pairs who feel no personal liking or affection for each other. Environmental influences, such as noise, heat, and humidity, decrease attraction between pairs of individuals.”
As you can see, even the definitions of attraction from the psychological point of view underline the fact that certain circumstances and conditions may affect the strength with which you and your partner are attracted to each other. This means two things:
- if you really care about your partner, you can attract them by ensuring that the environmental influences on your date stimulate attraction,
- you may be attracted to someone even if they are not your perfect partner, due to the external factors enhancing your attraction.
What Affects the Psychology of Attraction?
Some of the laws of attraction might be universal, others are different for each single, yet there is one sure thing – it is good to know the factors of attraction as this helps you understand your emotions better. So, what should you be aware of?
- Visual setting – Certain colors, like red, may stimulate attraction, while there are also colors that may have the opposite effect (blue or green). The same is true for the whole setting that you meet your partner in – if it’s neat, with good, warm light, it might bring you closer.
- Body language – Another key aspect in the psychology of attraction is body language – an open pose along with a natural smile might make people more attracted to you. This, however, is sometimes a disadvantage – people who are generally open and cheerful might unwillingly attract other singles.
- Scent – While certain perfumes can do the trick, so can your natural scent.
- Sounds – Noise can significantly hinder attraction, so if you really care, it’s best that you organize dates in quiet spots. On the other hand, the sound of your voice also matters. According to a study conducted in Poland in 2017, men with higher-pitched voices are perceived as more attractive, while women with higher-pitched voices are usually seen as younger and thinner.
The Takeaway
The psychology of attraction is complex – there are many elements that can affect how you feel about your partner and how quickly you will become attracted to them. Keep all of this in mind, and you will be able to understand your emotions better and truly see whether the single you are dating is your true soulmate or if the external factors make you feel so.
You may also read: Dating and Mental Health – Taking Care of Yourself While Seeking Love
Sources:
Groyecka, A., Pisanski, K., Sorokowska, A., Havlíček, J., Karwowski, M., Puts, D., Roberts, S. C., & Sorokowski, P. (2017). Attractiveness Is Multimodal: Beauty Is Also in the Nose and Ear of the Beholder. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, Article 778. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00778