Psychology actually tells us that physical attraction is of the utmost importance in a romantic relationship. There are so many different scientific reasons as to why people can develop a certain attraction for one another.
But why is physical attraction so important in a relationship to begin with?
Well, physical attraction is actually the specific degree of a person’s physical features that another person might consider beautiful, admirable, or attractive. Whenever we are in search of a romantic partner, psychology confirms that certain people tend to choose those who they might find physically attractive or pleasing to look at.
Yes, it’s common knowledge that men typically tend to seek physically admirable attributes whenever they are in search of love. However, it would be a mistake to assume that woman don’t do the same. Studies have shown that women also emphasize the importance of physical attractiveness in the men that they date.
What research in psychology tells us is that physical attractiveness might actually be even more important than humor, intelligence, and kindness as far as pure attraction is concerned. Whenever someone sees another physically attractive human being, they often assume that that person lives a much happier and more fulfilling life, especially when compared to someone who is less attractive.
This is mostly because people typically associate physical attractiveness to other positive qualities in a person’s life. And if you’re still not convinced, then just continue to read on until the end of this article.
Here are a few in-depth reasons as to why physical attractiveness plays a very important role in relationships.
1. Your sex life can suffer as a result of a lack of physical attraction.
Studies have shown that a lot of relationships that lack in physical attraction end up having very compromised and unsatisfactory sex lives. You have to remember that physical intimacy is ultimately what separates overs from people who are just really close friends.
And that’s why physical attraction is very important in a relationship. It significantly impacts the level of physical intimacy and sexual drive between two lovers. You have to remember that sexual intercourse is actually the pinnacle of physical intimacy. You can’t be as physically close to one another as you are when you have sex.
And in this regard, that’s why having a strong sense of physical attraction in your relationship is going to be important.
2. There is a drop in affection in a relationship when there is a lack of physical attraction.
You would never want to be in a romantic relationship with someone who just doesn’t show any affection towards you. Affection can be manifested in the form of kissing, handholding, hugging, cuddling, and other such activities. These are also manifestations of physical intimacy and closeness between two people.
You would never want to be in a romantic relationship with someone who just acts like your roommate, right? You always want your relationship to be special. You want your relationship to be something that is celebrated, valued, and adored. And you never want to be in a relationship where there is no affection.
It would be like eating cake without the icing. You are taking away the special aspects of the relationship; the parts of it that make it worthwhile. A lack of physical attraction in a relationship can lead to drops in affection. And when the affection is lacking, it can lead to one partner seeking affection in someone else.
3. Personality also plays a big role in relationships.
Naturally, it’s not just about the looks and you probably already know this by now. You also have to have a very pleasing and interesting personality. You need to be the kind of person who has a great character and attitude. Otherwise, no amount of good looks will ever be able to make you tolerable enough to be with.
And studies have also shown that if you exhibit positive personality traits such as generosity, intelligence, kindness, and patience, you can be perceived as someone who is more physically attractive by the people around you. And conversely, the bad traits and characteristics you might have can make you more physically unattractive as well.
Final Thoughts
Yes, physical attractiveness is always going to be important in a relationship. However, people are still going to have their own standards and tastes when it comes to defining physical attractiveness in someone else.
There are some women who think that men with softer features tend to be more attractive. And there are also some women who want their men to be physically rugged and strong.
It all really depends on the person’s preferences. And also, at the end of the day, physical attractiveness is only one aspect of the equation. There are many other factors that go into making a relationship work. And you need to be mindful of these things as well.
