Attraction is best defined as the ignition to the fire that is love; the topic has been subject to controversial findings over the years ranging from surprising parallels drawn with the mating process of animals to the conspiracy theories involving pheromones but scientists the world over are still drawing blanks on the final verdict of what really makes your heart flutter for that certain someone. If there’s a silver lining it has to be the vast collection of theories and myths associated with the laws of attraction that are around thanks to research and experiments carried out in the field.

 

Here’s a list of the top contenders in the pageant of factors influencing mate selection:

 

 

Hips Don’t Lie

 

Waist to hip ratio has been an established wow factor since the time of Leonardo Davinci who coincidentally proposed the divine ratio of human makeup. In females a waist that is significantly narrower than her hips is a clear sign of fertility and men are genetically hardwired to seek out such mates in order to ensure gene survival. Generally a waist to hip ratio (WHR) of 0.7 is accepted to be the most attractive to men while broad shoulders in men are found to be the biggest turn on for women. 

 

 

 

 

Face It

 

Face structure is the next big revelation in the bible of human attraction. Once again facial structure is suggestive of fertility levels and we seek out lovers who will make the most beautiful babies by complimenting our genetic makeup. Men are naturally attracted to women whose high Estrogen level causes their lower face, chin and brow to be relatively smaller accentuating the prominence of her eyes. Women on the other hand are swept off their feet by men whose naturally high Testosterone levels help develop a larger well defined lower face and jaw shifting prominence to his brow.

 

 

 

 

Like Me Like You

 

Coming back to genetics studies have revealed that humans are more inclined to form lasting bonds with individuals that they perceive to be similar to them. In a study carried out by Philippe Rushton of the Western Ontario University it was found that having similar genes played 34% of the role in mate selection. The driving principle is that some genes are more compatible with certain gene combinations. According to Rushton finding a mate wih similar genes will help ensure that offspring are benefited by the positive traits inherited by them. In a separate study it was revealed that child abuse rates were significantly lower in marriages whose spouses shared similar genes while also displaying that such partners tend to be more altruistic and more willing to sacrifice for each other.

 

 

 

 

Symmetry

 

For anyone who ever wondered why the hunchback of Notre Dame was ashamed of his looks we now have the answer: symmetry! In evolutionary terms symmetry is an absolute denotation of genetic superiority. Following the point of conception the human embryo develops by neatly dividing into multiple cells through a process more commonly known as cell division. Genetic mutations and environmental stressors however cause the symmetry to go askew. The moral of the story is that the hunchback was a walking genetic disaster. The simple reason that causes us to be attracted to more symmetric faces as opposed to less symmetric ones is superior genetic makeup. A symmetric mate will more likely assist in producing genetically stable offspring.

 

 

 

 

That Time of the Month

 

In a recent study it has been established that women who are ovulating are perceived by men to be more attractive and also to smell better. The study helps establish the theory on pheromones which is a chemical naturally secreted by mammals in an attempt to attract potential mates. The bad news is that your chance of finding pheromone scented perfume at the nearest perfumery is quite remote aka nonexistent. The reason being that pheromones are odorless within the regular spectrum of odors picked up by human noses. Interestingly these pheromones are picked up by a special organ in the nasal structure called the volmeronasal organ and is communicated to the brain separately. However critics argue that given human visual capabilities our dependence on odors to attract mates seem doubtful.

 

In conclusion it seems that scientists are in the process of driving a slow winding stake into the heart of the age old adage of beauty being skin deep. It seems more likely that evolutionary strategies hardwired into our brains play a larger role in the general phenomena of attraction. Like all else mate selection also seems to be driving towards the common target of survival through being the fittest.

 

 

 

(By Dilshan Senaratne)