As a psychologist, one of the most fascinating questions I regularly encounter is, what makes

someone attractive?

While people often assume it's all about physical appearance, psychological research paints

a far more nuanced picture. Welcome back to savvy psychologist.

I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show, I'll help you face life challenges

with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment. Let's start with the obvious.

Physical appearance. Decades of research show that certain physical traits are universally found to be attractive. Symmetry, for instance, is widely

regarded as a sign of genetic fitness. People with symmetrical faces tend to be rated as more attractive across cultures.

Another factor is averageness, or how closely a person's features resemble the population average.

This might sound counterintuitive, but faces that are mathematically average tend to be perceived as more

attractive. Clear skin, shiny hair, and other indicators of health also play a role. For example,

in evolutionary psychology, a woman's waist-to-hip ratio is considered a sign of fertility. For men, a V-shaped torso, so broad

shoulders tapering to a narrower waist, is associated with strength and vitality.

Height, especially in men, is often correlated with attractiveness, likely due to social and evolutionary factors.

However, it's important to remember that beauty standards are not static. They evolve with

cultural norms and media portrayals, and there's considerable variation depending on individual

preferences and life experiences.

We can see right now how we are transitioning from the age of curves and the BBL to being lean and the rise of GL1s like Ozempic.

While physical traits often initiate attraction, they're only a part of the story. As relationships

progress, psychological characteristics take center stage. One of the most powerful of these is kindness.

Time and again, studies show that warmth and compassion are universally appealing traits.

They signal that a person is emotionally available and capable of forming strong, supportive

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