Laws of Human Attraction

Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder? Well, yes and no. Although our interpretation of beauty does partly depend on cultural and personal preferences, there are some universal laws of attraction that span cultures and individual tastes.

What Causes Attraction?

According to modern social psychology, many things determine attraction. The first factor is familiarity. People are more likely to be attracted if they have met several times or are in the same social circles. Attraction also generates from attractive physical features, valued social traits (like self-esteem) and similarity. If two people have similar views, opinions and social skills, they are more likely to be attracted to each other. Lastly, conveyed interest is a factor. Just knowing that someone likes us often fuels our interest.

Physical Attraction

Attractive people have been proven to share common facial features: slim, toned figures, large eyes, small, perky noses, luscious lips, clear complexions. In one 1986 study, features that are consistent with attractive women are prominent cheekbones, narrow cheeks, high eyebrows, large pupils and a large smile. Men with distinctive cheekbones, sizable chins and broad smiles were rated more attractive. These perceived notions of beauty span cultures and tastes.

One distinct difference between male and female beauty is that the female faces that are considered beautiful are the typical "baby faces" as opposed to the more rugged male face. This insinuates that female beauty is associated with more "childlike" features.

Let's Get Physical...Physical

How Important is physical attraction? In social psychology field experiments, experimenters have found that people overwhelmingly opt for physical attractiveness (as opposed to other positive qualities). One psychology study randomly assigned blind dates for college students at the University of Minnesota. The results were overwhelming. Although many traits such as intelligence or sensitivity could have determined the success of the blind date, it was the rated physical attractiveness that correlated with success. In this study there was no significant difference between men or women on this matter. Later, this experiment was repeated with gay couples with the same results.

Beauty and Barbie--The Influence of the Media

From Saturday morning cartoons to Barbie to the latest movies, the media and other cultural touchstones tell us what is beautiful. Not only do they set standards for attraction, they also tell us to associate what is beautiful with what is good. Think of your favorite Disney movie. The hero and heroine are the both morally and physically likable.

Statistically, people associate other good qualities with those who are perceived as attractive. People who are attractive are rated more sociable, happy and popular. This varies slightly across cultures. Whatever is deemed as a valuable trait in that culture is associated with an attractive person. For example, in Western cultures assertion is more valued and thus associated with beauty. In South Korea, personal integrity is deemed more important and is associated with beauty.

The Theoretical Influence of Evolution

Experts suggest that we have been programed through evolution to judge what is attractive. Studies show that babies favor pictures of attractive faces over unattractive faces. Evolution has also programed our attraction through underlying motives. Throughout time, successful reproduction for men has translated into having as many offspring as possible. For females it translates into raising their offspring successfully.

Keeping this in mind, when men choose a partner, they are more likely to look for someone who fits the evolutionary bill for someone who can reproduce successfully (with attractiveness being a red flag). Attractiveness signals health and fitness. Women look for a man who can supply the resources she needs to raise a child. This may explain why rich, unattractive men are able to date gorgeous, young women.