Real Eyes, Realize

Have you ever been on a date and wondered where it’s going? There is often a lot of pressure on a first day to figure out how the other person feels about you. Are they into you? Do they find you attractive? Will you guys connect? At times these thoughts can race through one’s head and add more stress to the date. Instead of enjoying your time together, you may end up ruining the experience altogether. People often wonder if there are any signs that your date is into you. Some people swear they can tell by how much their date laughs at their jokes, whether or not their date displays physical contact, and even by how talkative their partner is. Interestingly, how your date looks at you may put your mind at ease.

According to research, where someone looks at you may determine how they feel about you. Wondering how this works? Well researchers Mylene Bolmont, John T. Cacioppo, and Stephanie Cacioppo might be able to help you! According to their research, whether someone feels love or lust depends on where they look.

In the study, participants were presented with photos of couples as well as individuals of the opposite sex and were told to judge whether they were interested in romantic love or sexual desire. Initially, all participants focused on the face as its human nature to scroll to that area of the body. What happened next determined how the participant felt about the person in the photo, as each participant in the study had their eye movements analyzed to see where the gaze shifted.  

Results revealed that when an individual’s eye focus remained on the face, their mind was maintained on love. This can be a good sign if you are looking for someone to form a relationship with, and at this point of the date you should analyze the individual and see how you feel about them.

Meanwhile, when an individual’s eye focus shifted off the face and explored the body, their mind was maintained on sexual desire. This on the other hand can indicate that the date is nothing more than just a quick fling. Unless you are looking for a casual hookup, this date may end up disappointing you. 

It is important to mention that all the photos were rated similar in nature on basis of attraction, and none portrayed any explicit material. Additionally, there was no difference found between genders in the study, so both men and women can use this method to assess their date. Remember though, actively staring at your date may creep them out and have them leave, so steal a quick glance throughout the night whenever they look at you. So next time you go on a date, focus on your partners eyes. Are they looking for love, or do they simply want to see you two knock boots?

John Nowak

Bolmont, M., Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S. (2014). Love is in the gaze: An eye-tracking study of love and sexual desire. Psychological Science, 25, 1748-1756. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797614539706