Ask random people on the street (like we did) about what they find attractive and the answers are rather predictable.
Confidence, attention to personal presentation and a ready smile all received prominent mention.
But as everyone who has ever experienced a love unrequited can tell you, these factors arenB次元官网网址檛 the be-all-and-end-all. While certain scientific truths formed through evolution underpin the art of attraction, other environmental factors mean peopleB次元官网网址檚 love choices will be as unique they are.
In his 2010 book , Scottish psychology professor David Perrett states attraction is unavoidably personal.
B次元官网网址淥ur individual experience of being attracted to someone, while it can often take us by surprise and seem overwhelming and irrational, nevertheless reflects the conscious and unconscious working of our own brains,B次元官网网址� he writes.
Several studies have demonstrated people consciously or unconsciously look for signs of societal dominance, healthy genes and shared personal values and interests B次元官网网址� qualities that ultimately should increase our offspringB次元官网网址檚 chances to succeed.
Our Vancouver Island random street survey reflected that, although participants expressed those feelings in much more general terms:
Kevin Radford said big, bright eyes and long shiny hair B次元官网网址� each an indicator of good health B次元官网网址� typically caught his attention.
Claire Leversidge said she takes note of the way a person confidently scans a room and moves comfortably around it B次元官网网址� signs of societal dominance.
Brian Starr and Rod Edgeworth pointed to how people dress and the way they present themselves, which can provide cues on personal values and compatibility.
And Kelly James talked about a sense of humour and a relaxed attitude which can indicate patience, sensitivity and long-term commitment.
Studies have indicated body types have significance in attraction; broad-shouldered v-shaped men and women with curvy hip-to-waist ratios get more attention because they are genetically more successful. Women and men also prefer men to be taller than their partner.
But PerrettB次元官网网址檚 work is based on his study of faces and the ways people react to them.
Some of his findings simply confirm the obvious. Others are surprising.
Perrett said his motivation for writing his book is to demonstrate that while general rules exist for attraction, different people find different faces attractive and there are scientific reasons why.
B次元官网网址淣ot everyone focuses on the same cues when deciding who has an attractive face,B次元官网网址� he writes. B次元官网网址淔acial attraction is personal B次元官网网址� andB次元官网网址eavily influenced by each of our unique upbringings, our experiences as well as our own appearance.B次元官网网址�
