It is a mystery why we choose the only one from a multitude of potential partners. Scientists have several explanations for why this happens.
Over the past millennia, the nature of partner choice has not changed much. Women are still guided by the social status of men, and men, in turn, by the physical attractiveness and youth of women.
But on the other hand, many scientists believe that at present it is social, and not biological, prerequisites that play a decisive role in the formation of a couple. It is true that women first of all pay attention to what status a man plays in society, but only as long as the business qualities of a woman are not encouraged. As soon as this happens, women also look at physical attractiveness, youth and personal qualities.
In modern society, both partners work to form a common budget. The ability to cook and wash well no longer plays a decisive role, as in the last century. This example clearly demonstrates how cultural norms in society are changing and how they affect what we consider attractive or not attractive.
One of the factors influencing the emergence of mutual sympathy is the ability to constantly see each other. Of course, we all know cases when such closeness provoked conflicts and quarrels, but this is rather an exception to the rule. It is the constant contact that is the reason for such frequent romances at work or during school. Constant communication flows first into friendship, and then often into romantic relationships.
Physical attractiveness also plays an important role. Each person has their own concepts of beauty, which are partly dictated by the standards that prevail in society. But still, special preferences for one type or another are given at a subconscious level. If we like a person, we strive to get to know him better and thereby complete the portrait in order to understand how much he is similar to our ideal.
Personal qualities are especially appreciated in a partner. Listening skills, kindness, attentiveness are often decisive arguments when evaluating "like it or not like it."
And, finally, similar traits of character or appearance are assessed by us positively. We are attracted to those who are like us. It is often easier to communicate with such a person, as if he speaks the same language with us. Moreover, in this way we are committing a psychological transference. We think: "This person is beautiful, he is very similar to me. So I am beautiful too." Who doesn't want to be beautiful?
