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“Your heart skips when you look at them and when they touch your hand or arm you get goosebumps,” answered a study participant when asked to describe romantic chemistry.
Chemistry is often viewed as an enigmatic force that draws people together, creating a spark that can ignite a passionate and enduring connection.
While it is often attributed to sheer luck, several identifiable factors contribute to a magnetic attraction. A 2022 study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science concluded that chemistry can be broken down into cognitive, affective, and behavioral components.
Here are the three ingredients that create the irresistible pull of romantic chemistry.
1. A Generous Helping of Emotional Reciprocity
A 2018 study found that attraction, mutual enjoyment, and instant connection enhance romantic chemistry.
Attraction, or biologically driven passion, is a significant predictor of a sizzling chemistry. Feelings of passion, mutual desire, sexual attraction, and infatuation coalesce to create the invisible pull of chemistry.
“It’s lust, obsession, being attracted to the person, passion, need, want, love, connection, insatiability for them, spark, flirting, desire,” explained a study participant. The famous feeling of falling in “love at first sight” was also found to be an alias for strong initial attraction, instead of being a distinct form of love.
Mutual enjoyment of each other’s company and sharing a sense of humor also boosts chemistry.
“We hit it off and never looked back. We had a lot to talk about and made each other feel great about ourselves,” said a male study participant.
2. A Dash of Complementary Thinking
An individual’s thoughts and beliefs play a role in establishing chemistry and connection with another person. The aforementioned study found that finding similarities with a person significantly augments chemistry.
Similarities related to beliefs, hobbies, and goals are looked upon favorably and boost a sense of connection. For instance, encountering someone who shares a passion for traveling and exploring the world can make them stand out as more appealing among the many potential partners online. Similar interests seem to make an individual appear relatable and can provide a solid foundation for a deeper connection.
“We have similar beliefs, values, morals, likes, dislikes, and interests,” said a study participant about his chemistry with another individual.
Additionally, a study published in Personal Relationships found that attraction and romantic liking are influenced more by perceived similarity than by actual similarity. Thus, believing that similarity exists with a person intensifies chemistry in love’s equation.
3. A Final Garnish of Conversational Candor
Behaviors reflecting our attitudes and intentions help heighten Cupid’s chemistry, intensifying the connection to leave an indelible mark on the individuals involved. A study concluded that reciprocal candor between people is a booster of romantic chemistry.
Reciprocal candor refers to engaging in open and meaningful conversation, characterized by ease, predictability, and a deep connection. Study participants described their experience of feeling “a spark” in conversation with a person by saying things like:
- “Absorbing, riveting, inescapable, powerful, intoxicating, as if the world suddenly became the background to this one person.”
- “You feel safe and secure, you can be yourself, you want to be real with that person.”
Furthermore, an individual’s responsiveness to the thoughts, goals, and needs of the other person also elevates their chemistry. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that responsiveness makes an individual feel special, thereby increasing desire for the other individual.
The chemistry between two people can be a catalyst for the remarkable journey of shared experiences they might embark upon. Whether it’s the initial spark of attraction or the sustained warmth of a long-term relationship, uncovering the secrets of romantic chemistry can help us better navigate the complex landscape of love. Understanding the elements responsible for fueling chemistry can provide valuable insights into why we feel irresistibly drawn to certain individuals and help us foster deeper, more meaningful connections.
A version of this post also appears on Forbes.com.
