Is Love Blind? The Science Behind Attraction

The saying "love is blind" has been around for a long time. It has influenced how we see romantic relationships. But is there any scientific evidence behind this idea? Can love really make us unable to see our partner's flaws? In this article, we look at six studies that explain this phenomenon.

Study 1: Cuddle Hormone

A study done by Young and colleagues back in 2001 found that oxytocin, often referred to as the "cuddle hormone" plays a crucial role in bonding and trust. The cuddle hormone makes you blind to red flags and imperfections your partner may have and heightens your emotions towards the things that you adore.

Study 2: “They’re not that bad…”

According to Berscheid and Reis’ study back in 2001, when we are in love, we tend to see only the good in our partner and overlook their flaws which is considered as a confirmation bias. This tendency can make us believe that love makes us blind to imperfections.

Study 3: “Braindead over Heels for You”

Ah, young love! The magical potion that turns logical brains to mush. Aron's research in 2005 proved why we act like fools in love Our brains go on vacation, leaving behind rational thinking. The ventral tegmental area (VTA), the pleasure center, goes wild. Love wears rose-colored glasses, making flaws disappear. Prepare to lose logic and embrace the brain circus. Enjoy being delusional with your reward-hungry VTA.

Study 4: Evolutionary Perspective

Dr. Fisher, a leading expert in the biology of love, suggests that the idea of love being blind could have evolutionary roots. Overlooking flaws in a partner may have provided an adaptive advantage by promoting pair bonding and the formation of stable relationships, which could increase the chances of offspring survival and gene propagation. Survival of your genes does not necessarily mean your the fittest.

In conclusion, while the saying "love is blind" is not a literal truth, these studies reveal the complexity of romantic love. The interplay of hormones, cognitive biases, neurological processes, and evolutionary pressures all contribute to the phenomenon we colloquially refer to as "love is blind." It's a reminder that love, in its myriad forms, remains a multifaceted and fascinating aspect of human experience.