The popular reality show Love Is Blind takes the concept of "love at first sight” completely off the table. In the show, participants talk to other singles in separate rooms, or pods, and don’t see the other person until after they fall in love, sight unseen, and get engaged. Then after a short time together, the couples must make a choice. Will they commit forever?
On the other hand, for many singles today, using online dating apps means relying heavily on photos as a way to attract — and evaluate — potential partners.
But what can science tell us about the phenomenon of "love at first sight" and the role of physical attraction? While experts and researchers don't deny that physical attraction can be an important part of the courting process, it isn’t the most important factor when it comes to long-lasting romantic love.
Is There Such a Thing as Love at First Sight?
Physical attraction is indeed an important element in establishing romantic ties. It's often the starting point in relationships and can help people connect in order to foster an emotional attachment, according to a study published in 2016 in Frontiers in Psychology. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist at the Kinsey Institute, backs this up; from an evolutionary perspective, when it comes to romantic love and finding a potential partner, looks do play a role.
