7 Psychological Studies on Love And Lovers

Below is a collection of new and sometimes surprising conclusions from studies on the attractiveness and compatibility of the two sexes. As usual, if we look carefully and especially if we use the gray matter of the equipment, we will notice with a sense of humor how these discoveries collide with other newer or older discoveries.

We are currently living in a challenging period in which almost any conclusion appears in a given place, time, and study, can be immediately contradicted by another study, just as well documented and argued. But that only makes things more interesting and why not, more fun. Until another one, here's what the studies say, who we like and why! ⁇

1. Nonconformism is in power!

When we talk about dating, both sexes prefer a non-conformist partner, according to a study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Although it was already known that most women consider a rebellious man to be sexy, the results completely change the common assumption that men prefer women who conform to the rules.

The women in the study assumed that the conformity-related personality trait should be attractive to men, but that was not the case.

The study's authors say:

"Women overestimated how attracted men are too conformist women. People think that men prefer conformist women, but this impression is inconsistent with reality. "

2. Neural synchronization

People who find it easy to interpret the emotions of others are naturally attracted to each other. Brain scans have shown that interpersonal attraction is associated with a type of neuronal synchrony. The ability to read your partner's emotions and empathy gives people a sense of understanding and connection. They are also essential for a harmonious, successful social interaction in general.

The study's authors explain:

"Changes in individuals in terms of interpersonal attraction have been predicted by tracking neural activity related to the participant's reward circuit, which in turn signals how appropriate one's own 'neural vocabulary' is to decode the other's behavior."

To be compatible and to achieve a common goal, the two partners will have to continuously understand and process new information about the partner's ever-dynamic intentions and motivations and as a result, be able to adapt their behavior accordingly. "

3. Close height

It has been known for years that men tend to choose partners of the same height, despite the well-known preferences of women for tall men.

A new study also explains why people choose partners of the same height: they are in our genes.

"We found that 89% of the genetic variation that affects individual preferences for a person's height is shared, indicating that there is an innate preference for partners of similar height."

The connection with the partner's height proved to be surprisingly accurate; Dr. Tenesa said:

"Using a partner's height genes, we estimated the height of the chosen partner with an accuracy of 13%. The similarity in height between the partners is determined by the observed physical appearance of the partner, especially his height, rather than influenced by the social or genetic structure of the population in which we live ".

4. The power of attraction of the dark side

People with pathological personality traits - such as impulsivity or so-called neurosis - have more luck in love. On top of that, those with certain "dark" features tend to have more partners and more children.

The unexpected findings come from a study of about 1,000 heterosexual men and women with a wide range of personality traits.

Women with an extremely neurotic personality are 34% more likely to have a partner. At the same time, neurotic women are 73% more likely to have children.

5. Don't smile anymore, gentlemen!⁇

Women find men who are thought of as more attractive and conquering than the happy ones, always with a smile on their face. It seems that a less smile makes a man look more masculine.

The results were opposite for women, confirming what I knew, namely - women who smile attract a man much more easily.

Prof. Jessica Tracy, the first author of the study, said:

"While showing a happy face is considered essential in social interactions with friends, including those involving sexual attraction, several studies have examined whether a smile is truly attractive.

The study found that men and women responded very differently to emotions, including smiles. While men love cheerful and always well-rounded women, women are much more attracted to thinking men because they seem more serious. "

6. Shocking discovery: as weak as possible!

Women who are almost under normal weight are the most attractive in terms of men, a recent study found.

Dr. Lobke Vaanholt, one of the study's authors, said:

"Although not many people will be surprised by the extreme thinness that has been perceived as the most attractive body type since this is promoted so much in the media, culture, and fashion, the important advance is that we now have an understanding evolutionary why this is happening. And the very simple reason why men find a low BMI to be attractive is that it signals youth. "

Indeed, someone should also explain why other studies unequivocally show how men prefer women with shapes, even Rubensian because this suggests a strong hormonal system, fertility, and femininity.

7. Expansive posture

Both men and women look more attractive when they adopt an expansive posture.

The expansive posture includes having your hands more outward than together, generally leaning on your back or with your legs apart, rather than with them crossed, a posture that is as open as possible and takes up as much space as possible.

Expansive gestures tend to mean openness and dominance, which is why they are seen as more attractive.