DATING & RELATIONSHIPS
Why Physical Attractiveness and Personality Traits Matter in Forming Relationships
Attending a social gathering is a great chance for you to meet people who share the same interests as you, regardless if they have good looks or a lively personality.
Socializing with others is a way to build a sensible connection with them. Your interaction with people matters in order to weigh significant factors that tell if you’re compatible, such as how they present themselves, their manner of talking, and their behavior. These are some of the things to consider before proceeding to the next level.
In most cases, we tend to observe someone’s physical features before getting to know what their personality is like. Attraction starts at the moment you appreciate something that is visible to the eye.
But how does this make any sense? Is there a fact that supports this claim?
What about women? Are they more likely to be attracted to someone good-looking or someone with a great personality?
According to a study published in Springer’s journal, Evolutionary Psychological Science, mothers often choose men who are reasonably attractive for their daughters, while some women prefer attractive men regardless of the values they have.
Most of the time, younger women prefer to have physically attractive romantic partners compared to older and more mature women.
In contrast, a study published in Personal Relationships found that there is a relationship between physical attractiveness and personality in choosing a romantic partner of the opposite sex.
It found that people desire to have physically attractive partners. But when positive or negative personality traits are exposed, the perception towards physical attractiveness changes.
To clear things up, let’s find out the reasons why people are torn between physical attractiveness and personality traits when dating.
Why Physical Attractiveness Matters
- It serves as a gatekeeper.
In 2005, Weeden and Sabini expounded that being good-looking can secure a chance of being partnered with someone who is healthy, age appropriate, and able to procreate.
In the dating scene, whether domestic or international, you will find that physical appearance is the primary and dominating factor. Even a man like you would like to pursue someone attractive.
After all, first impressions are mostly formed on a person’s physical appearance.
- It is associated with positive qualities.
When you possess great physical appearance, a lot of opportunities for personal and professional growth are offered to you.
In other words, you are expected to feel extreme happiness and receive more gratifying life experiences compared to those who are unattractive individuals.
Then again, having good looks doesn’t always guarantee a 100% acquisition of all positive qualities because it still depends on a person’s effort to improve as an individual.
- It boosts self-esteem.
When you see yourself as good-looking, you feel great about yourself. You feel proud of how physically appealing you are.
Then again, being good-looking doesn’t mean you’re as flawless as the celebrities you see on television. It only means that you managed to stay well-groomed and healthy most of the time.
With that, your self-esteem goes up and positive energy runs into your system. It radiates in the things you do.
- It is an indication of self-respect.
What you look like is a reflection of how you feel about yourself.
If you value yourself, it is important that you maintain being physically fit, well-groomed, and appropriately dressed. These are some indicators that you are expressing self-respect and you feel good about yourself.
But keep in mind that it is better to practice such a routine that is supplemented by the way you conduct yourself and the decisions you make.
The Importance of Personality Traits
- It makes you an interesting individual.
Basically, your looks get people’s attention for a short period, but your looks don’t always spice up your personality.
When you have a great personality, you can easily get along with people without faking everything you do because it runs naturally and smoothly for you.
As a result, people will show interest in you, and you’re set to build rapport with anyone.
- It gets you further romantically.
When courting someone, time is one of the most important elements. You need to maximize the chance given to you to be the person they want to date and exhaust all possible means to express your pure intentions.
At first, good looks give you an advantage to start a conversation with someone. But if your personality is dull, it doesn’t make you interesting, and the relationship you are trying to build won’t go a long way.
You need to show who you really are for someone to appreciate your authentic personality. You also need to show off your innate humor.
Remember, your enthusiastic personality is more important to move your current relationship status onto the next level.
- It molds you into a unique person.
Of all the billions of people on Earth, perhaps only hundreds are identical to you.
Despite the similarities of physical features you and other people have, your personality is what makes you unique.
No one can ever copy the realness of your personality. Having a distinct personality means giving yourself time to enhance your innate qualities.
- It doesn’t fade.
You might have already heard the saying that good looks don’t last. This is apparently true, since we all grow old.
You start to have wrinkles. Your hair turns gray. Your skin becomes saggy. Everything about your physical body doesn’t stay as it is in the present.
What only stays with you is your personality.
People will remember their shared memories with you, not because you’re physically attractive, but because of your incomparable personality traits.
Who You Are Is More Valuable than How You Look
Naturally, we tend to observe someone’s physical appearance before getting to know their values. With that being said, being attracted to someone’s beauty at first before appreciating their personality traits is normal, and there is nothing wrong about it.
In 2004, Kniffin and Wilson asserted that regardless of our own or our partner’s level of attractiveness, as we get to learn, appreciate, and admire one another more, our love naturally rises and intensifies.
The more we get to know someone better, the less crucial physical appearance is in starting and maintaining a strong partnership.
