I'm just going to mass-post some more scientific studies, because people are posting too much on their feelings rather than any real data.
1. Attractiveness is subjective, and often changes based on spending more time around someone:
"Some people appear more attractive to a potential mate over time, perhaps because their inner qualities have had a chance to shine, according to a new study published recently in Psychological Science.
"Our results indicate that perceptions of beauty in a romantic partner might change with time, as individuals get to know one another better before they start dating," said the study's lead researcher, Lucy Hunt of the University of Texas at Austin.
Over time, factors such as compatibility can make that person appealing in ways that outshine more easily observable characteristics such as physical attractiveness, she said. "Or perhaps another person might actually become more attractive in the eyes of the beholder by virtue of these other factors," she added in a journal news release."
According to Ravi Thiruchselvam, a self-perception researcher at the University of Toronto, several factors could be at play. In terms of physical appearance, research has found that the more times we’re shown a face, the more attractive it becomes, although attractive physical traits vary from person to person. What you think is attractive could be totally different than that of your best friend. Beauty is very personal. But when we do find someone attractive it’s the result of the brain’s reward circuitry, driven by the nucleus accumbens, a key structure involved in the brain’s motivational and emotional responses. “The activity in the nucleus accumbens may distinguish romantic partners from unfamiliar potential mates,” he says.
"A study has found that who we find attractive is most strongly influenced by our life experiences, such as the kind of faces you are exposed to and the relationships you form. For example, having a positive relationship with someone may have you subconsciously pairing their facial characteristics with positive information. Subsequently, people who look similar to them become more attractive to you as well.
Research also suggests that familiarity and exposure to certain faces increases their attractiveness. That means you may prefer faces that are similar to those you're more familiar with, and tend to judge a face that is very different from faces you've previously seen as less attractive."
2. The longer you know each other, the less important it becomes to be similar in objective (to outside observer) physical attractiveness.
"A study of 167 couples included measures of how long partners had known each other before dating and whether they had been friends before dating, as well as coders’ ratings of physical attractiveness. As predicted, couples revealed stronger evidence of assortative mating to the extent that they knew each other for a short time and were not friends before initiating a romantic relationship."
3. Physical attractiveness is heavily influenced by factors somewhat under your control:
"In a 1997 study by Mehrabian and Blum, research found that the most attractive qualities in a person came down to self-care. The two researchers surveyed 117 male and female university students with 76 different photos of the opposite sex and asked them to rank their attractiveness and corresponding emotional responses. The most "attractive" features came down to good posture, noticeable grooming, nice-fitting clothing, a seemingly positive attitude, and a healthy weight."
"According to one study, it's more important to have a healthy BMI. Apparently, men find women with a BMI of 18 – 20 most attractive, as it indicates both good health and fertility.
Meanwhile, women are subconsciously looking for a man with body fat of around 12% – probably because too high body fat is associated with a range of negative health implications, including heart disease, diabetes and reduced fertility."
1. Attractiveness is subjective, and often changes based on spending more time around someone:
"Some people appear more attractive to a potential mate over time, perhaps because their inner qualities have had a chance to shine, according to a new study published recently in Psychological Science.
"Our results indicate that perceptions of beauty in a romantic partner might change with time, as individuals get to know one another better before they start dating," said the study's lead researcher, Lucy Hunt of the University of Texas at Austin.
Over time, factors such as compatibility can make that person appealing in ways that outshine more easily observable characteristics such as physical attractiveness, she said. "Or perhaps another person might actually become more attractive in the eyes of the beholder by virtue of these other factors," she added in a journal news release."
Attraction Can Grow With Time Spent Together
MONDAY, July 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The best-looking guys usually land the prettiest girls, but knowing people before dating them might help level the roma
www.healthday.com
According to Ravi Thiruchselvam, a self-perception researcher at the University of Toronto, several factors could be at play. In terms of physical appearance, research has found that the more times we’re shown a face, the more attractive it becomes, although attractive physical traits vary from person to person. What you think is attractive could be totally different than that of your best friend. Beauty is very personal. But when we do find someone attractive it’s the result of the brain’s reward circuitry, driven by the nucleus accumbens, a key structure involved in the brain’s motivational and emotional responses. “The activity in the nucleus accumbens may distinguish romantic partners from unfamiliar potential mates,” he says.
Why Are People More Attractive the Longer You Know Them?
Looks aren't everything. When it comes to a healthy, long-lasting relationship, personality is the most attractive feature.
www.discovermagazine.com
"A study has found that who we find attractive is most strongly influenced by our life experiences, such as the kind of faces you are exposed to and the relationships you form. For example, having a positive relationship with someone may have you subconsciously pairing their facial characteristics with positive information. Subsequently, people who look similar to them become more attractive to you as well.
Research also suggests that familiarity and exposure to certain faces increases their attractiveness. That means you may prefer faces that are similar to those you're more familiar with, and tend to judge a face that is very different from faces you've previously seen as less attractive."
The Science Behind Why We Fall in Love
Do you believe in love at first sight? OK, how about love at first smell? Read on to discover the science behind falling in love this Valentine’s Day.
www.mountelizabeth.com.sg
2. The longer you know each other, the less important it becomes to be similar in objective (to outside observer) physical attractiveness.
"A study of 167 couples included measures of how long partners had known each other before dating and whether they had been friends before dating, as well as coders’ ratings of physical attractiveness. As predicted, couples revealed stronger evidence of assortative mating to the extent that they knew each other for a short time and were not friends before initiating a romantic relationship."
3. Physical attractiveness is heavily influenced by factors somewhat under your control:
"In a 1997 study by Mehrabian and Blum, research found that the most attractive qualities in a person came down to self-care. The two researchers surveyed 117 male and female university students with 76 different photos of the opposite sex and asked them to rank their attractiveness and corresponding emotional responses. The most "attractive" features came down to good posture, noticeable grooming, nice-fitting clothing, a seemingly positive attitude, and a healthy weight."
What to Know About the Psychology of Attraction—Plus, 7 Ways to Use It to Your Advantage When Dating
Have you ever wondered what draws one person to another? Here, learn all about the psychology of attraction, including expert-approved tips on how to put it to good use when dating.
www.brides.com
Physical appearance, attractiveness, and the mediating role of emotions - Current Psychology
Determinants of physical attractiveness were investigated in a study employing U.S. college students of both genders. Five factors were derived from a study of 37 stable and changeable physical features: Masculinity (strength, larger body and chest, broader chin), Femininity (longer hair...
link.springer.com
"According to one study, it's more important to have a healthy BMI. Apparently, men find women with a BMI of 18 – 20 most attractive, as it indicates both good health and fertility.
Meanwhile, women are subconsciously looking for a man with body fat of around 12% – probably because too high body fat is associated with a range of negative health implications, including heart disease, diabetes and reduced fertility."
The Science Behind Why We Fall in Love
Do you believe in love at first sight? OK, how about love at first smell? Read on to discover the science behind falling in love this Valentine’s Day.
www.mountelizabeth.com.sg