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Love at First Sight: Does it Exist?

Physical attraction may help form romantic ties, but what does it mean for the long term? Learn what scientists say about love at first sight.

ByBrittany Edelmann
Credit: Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

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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.

Physical attraction is indeed an important ...

  • Brittany Edelmann

    Brittany Edelmann is a registered nurse who completed a master’s degree in journalism with a specialization in health and science at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. She has written for Discover, Chicago Health, Chicago Caregiving, The Sun-Sentinel, and Medill Reports, as well as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

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