What makes you attracted to someone? Why certain people set our hearts racing
- From looks and smell to behaviour and background, there are a number of characteristics people in general find more attractive in others
- Past experiences, our families and friends, the society we live in and the media also play a role in shaping who catches our eye
The biology of attraction is a complex game involving a multitude of factors. But why are we attracted to certain people and not others? What determines who will get our heart racing? How do genetics and experience play a role in whether someone will catch our eye?
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to shake those hips and thrust out your chests as we delve into the complicated language of love and lust.
Needless to say, looks play a huge role in our initial attraction to another person. According to Irish-American biopsychologist and author Nigel Barber, humans are typically attracted to those who exhibit signs of health, which can include facial symmetry and good skin.
Dr Sarah Johns, senior lecturer in evolutionary anthropology at England’s University of Kent, explains that the research regarding symmetry is mixed, “but it can contribute to someone being attractive, and certainly signals that there are no disorders of development”.
In men, those with symmetrical features have even been found to be better at sports and dancing – and to have higher-quality sperm.