Some call it chemistry, some call it lust, but the initial reaction when you meet someone you instantly fall for is known to by many. The reactions associated with this attraction include butterflies in the stomach, sweaty palms and a racing heart - but why do we go after certain people,nd in some cases have certain ‘types’?
First we come to the famous Charles Darwin, who wrote about something called ‘sexual selection’. This theory basically means that the majority of the population prefer specific traits on people, so people with these traits mate and these genes are passed on throughout the generations. Essentially the theory suggests that humans like some traits more than others, and these are the traits that get passed on.
Studies over time have suggested that Bilateral symmetry turns us on. This means faces look the same on both sides. The science behind this is that people with one side significantly different to the other tend to have had either genetic or physiological problems, and naturally as an evolutionary species we want to pass on the best possible genes to our children, so are attracted to those with the seemingly best genes. There are many super models who are famous for their bilateral symmetrical faces.
Another point that as humans we tend to find attractive is a low waist to hip ratio, and this is because generally women and men with this are less susceptible to cancer, diabetes etc. Also, women with a low waist to hip ratio find it easier to give birth and actually get pregnant in the first place - always a good trait to have in a potential mating partner.
So they’re all round reasons as to why some people tend to get more action than others, but when we look at individual preferences, things get a bit more complicated.
As humans, we release something called pheromones which are chemical signals released by the body. We are generally sexually attracted to those whose pheromones are genetically similar to our own. However, we also prefer mates with a different kind of immune system to our own, and this can be detected by our body through the pheromones. Although we may not consciously know whether the person across from us has similar pheromones or a different kind of immune system, the reaction our body sends out when it realises this are the things we feel when we see someone we begin to crush on. The body is attracted to those with a different kind of immune system as this will help their children fight off disease better and be a generally healthier person than both their parents. Evolution at it’s best.
Not only our pheromones but psychologically we tend to be attracted to people who have similar interests, mainly because we get along better and enjoy spending time with them rather than having a real scientific explanation towards it. Although if your pheromones also complement each other, then I guess that’s just a bonus!
In general, and staying in accordance with evolution, men tend to be more attracted to younger women because of their higher chances of fertility, and women tend to be more attracted to older men because they have more ability to look after them and their family.
There’s also a lot of truth in opposites attract - we look for traits in other people that complement our own and will help our survival. For example, if you are terrible at cooking, you may feel more attracted to those who can cook really well, purely because it will be an advantage to you if you get together.
So the science behind your crush is very complicated; and yet, after all the science has been explained, it’s still wise to remember that people don’t make rational decisions in love. So potentially, anything can happen.
It's all Science: The science behind your crush :
