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Articles on Attraction

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In what’s called ‘benign masochism,’ some people find the feeling of disgust pleasurable. Ocskaymark/iStock via Getty Images.

Why are so many people delighted by disgusting things?

Going out of your way to get grossed out might seem like a contradiction of human nature. But it serves a strong evolutionary purpose.
It’s likeness that makes the heart grow fonder. Zediajaab

No, opposites do not attract

It’s a classic adage for those seeking love. The problem is that psychology research shows it’s just not true.
Men and women rate warmth and trustworthiness as very important in their potential partner. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

We all want the same things in a partner, but why?

What movies tell us is important in a parter – a nice smile or money – are exaggerations of fundamental evolutionary needs that actually do matter.
Phovoir/Shutterstock

Why opposites rarely attract

Most of us tend to be attracted to people who are similar to ourselves. But there’s an important exception to this rule.
The end of an era? Irina Braga/Shutterstock

Is feminism killing romance?

Ever wondered what it would be like to date in a completely gender-equal world? The answer may surprise you.
Women are more likely to be attracted to a man who has been “chosen” before. from www.shutterstock.com.au

Why we’re more likely to date someone who has an ex

Research has found people with relationship experience, all else being equal, tend to be more romantically desirable than people without relationship experience.
There’s nothing that everyone wants in a partner. But there are characteristics most men or women find attractive. Leo Hidalgo/Flickr

How do we choose a partner?

We know a lot about why people choose different brands of dishwashing detergent. But when it comes to the processes behind choosing a romantic partner, science knows surprisingly little.
He is in a wheelchair, she has multiple sclerosis, but their neighbours know Grzegorz and Magda as a loving couple. Flickr/Dominik Golenia/In sickness and in health

Love and disability: ‘inter-ability relationships’ conquer stereotypes

Our notions of what makes a person a desirable ‘love interest’ are often superficial and involve an element of deception. For someone with a severe disability, finding love is even more complicated
Most of us struggle with our own attractiveness and whether we have enough of it. Tony Bowler/Shutterstock

Not everyone is beautiful

You probably aren’t beautiful. It’s statistical, not personal. Most of us are average, a few of us are ugly, and a tiny number of us are beautiful or handsome. Many of us struggle with our own attractiveness…

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