摘要：Our brain quickly picks up on attraction and compatibility, steering our romantic interest in just seconds.One part of this brain

Love at First Sight?

一见钟情？

How your brain decides who catches your eye in seconds.

你的大脑如何在几秒钟内决定谁会吸引你的目光。

Posted October 9, 2025 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

发布于2025 年 10 月 9 日 | 由米歇尔·奎克审阅

Our brain quickly picks up on attraction and compatibility, steering our romantic interest in just seconds.One part of this brain area judges universal attractiveness and another focuses on personalized preferences.These neural snap judgments predict real-world dating choices, like who asks for a second date.

我们的大脑很快就能察觉到吸引力和兼容性，并在几秒钟内引导我们对浪漫的兴趣。大脑的这个区域的一部分负责判断普遍吸引力，而另一部分则关注个人偏好。这些神经快速判断可以预测现实世界的约会选择，例如谁会要求第二次约会。

The human brain makes snap judgments about potential romantic partners in just seconds, and these initial impressions have a surprising impact on real-world dating choices. Understanding the brain’s decision-making process sheds light on the concept of “chemistry” on a first date and could help people approach relationships with greater self-awareness.

人类大脑会在几秒钟内对潜在的恋爱对象做出快速判断，而这些初步印象会对现实生活中的约会选择产生惊人的影响。了解大脑的决策过程有助于理解初次约会中“化学反应”的概念，并可能帮助人们以更清晰的自我认知来对待恋爱关系。

Recent advances in neuroscience indicate that the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex plays a central role in rapidly evaluating potential romantic partners, often without conscious awareness. Key findings show that specific regions within this cortex are responsible for making swift assessments, and these neural patterns can reliably predict whether someone will express romantic interest or decide to pursue further interaction after just a brief encounter.

神经科学的最新进展表明，背内侧前额叶皮层在快速评估潜在恋爱对象方面发挥着核心作用，而这种评估往往是无意识的。关键研究结果表明，该皮层内的特定区域负责快速评估，这些神经模式能够可靠地预测某人是否会在短暂的邂逅后表达爱意或决定进一步互动。

Your Brain’s First-Date Algorithm

你大脑的初次约会算法

Imagine walking into a party or swiping through profiles on a dating app. In less time than it takes to finish a glass of water, the brain kicks into gear and forms a nearly instant sense of “maybe” or “not for me” about someone new. Research has shown that this split-second judgment is facilitated by a specialized area located near the front of the brain, above the eyes, known as the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.

想象一下，当你走进派对，或在约会软件上浏览个人资料时，大脑会在比喝完一杯水还短的时间内启动，对新认识的人产生“或许”或“不适合我”的瞬间判断。研究表明，这种瞬间判断是由大脑前部附近、眼睛上方的一个特殊区域——背内侧前额叶皮质——促成的。

What makes this discovery stand out is how real-life speed-dating studies have mapped out the brain’s matchmaking process. When people see the face of a potential match, even before a conversation begins, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex lights up and begins sorting through clues such as appearance, personality, and subtle nonverbal cues. One part of this cortex is busy scanning for classic signs of attraction, while another is tuned to the more personal things that might make someone genuinely interesting or likable. It’s like having an internal app that blends universal appeal with individual taste. It makes that “gut feeling” both remarkably fast and surprisingly smart.

这一发现的突出之处在于，现实生活中的快速约会研究描绘出了大脑的配对过程。当人们看到潜在伴侣的面孔时，甚至在对话开始之前，背内侧前额叶皮层就会被激活，开始筛选外貌、性格和微妙的非语言暗示等线索。这部分皮层的一部分忙于扫描经典的吸引力特征，而另一部分则关注那些可能让某人真正有趣或讨人喜欢的更私人的特质。这就像拥有一个融合普遍吸引力和个人品味的内置应用程序。它让这种“直觉”既非常迅速，又出奇地聪明。

Universal Beauty vs. Personal Compatibility

普遍美貌 vs. 个人兼容性

Beauty and attraction can seem mysterious, but the brain has some clear patterns for deciding who catches the eye and who feels “just right.” When someone has features like symmetrical eyes or an “average” face, many people find them appealing, and this actually lights up certain areas in the brain linked to reward and pleasure. It’s like the brain is giving a gentle nudge: “Go ahead and take a closer look!” These universal signals are deeply rooted in human history and help explain why certain looks often feel undeniably attractive.

美貌和吸引力看似神秘莫测，但大脑却拥有清晰的模式来判断谁最引人注目，谁最让人感觉“恰到好处”。拥有对称双眼或“普通”脸型等特征的人，许多人会觉得他们很有魅力，这实际上会激活大脑中与奖励和愉悦感相关的特定区域。这就像大脑在轻轻地推一下：“来，仔细看看！” 这些普遍的信号深深植根于人类历史，并有助于解释为什么某些外貌往往让人感觉无可否认的魅力。

The magic of connection isn’t just about “classic beauty.” Think about someone who stands out for their unique laugh, offbeat style, or shared interests. Even if they don’t fit the usual mold, the brain has another circuit that perks up when these personal quirks click. This is where people’s individual tastes and life experiences come in: What feels special to one person might go unnoticed by another. Both the common and the personal play a role at the brain level, giving every individual a “type” that’s shaped by both biology and the stories lived. In the end, falling for someone is never just about how they look; it’s about the mix of wide appeal and genuine connection that makes an encounter memorable.

联结的魔力不仅仅在于“古典美”。想想那些以独特的笑声、另类的风格或共同的兴趣而脱颖而出的人。即使他们不符合通常的模式，大脑中也有另一种回路，当这些个人怪癖触动他们时，它就会活跃起来。这就是人们的个人品味和生活经历发挥作用的地方：一个人觉得特别的东西，另一个人可能并不会注意到。共同点和个性都会在大脑层面发挥作用，赋予每个人一种由生物学和生活故事塑造的“类型”。最终，爱上一个人绝不仅仅是因为他们的外表；而在于广泛的吸引力和真诚的联系，这才是让一次邂逅令人难忘的关键。

What draws people in, whether across a crowded room or with a swipe on an app, isn’t just about model-good looks. The paracingulate cortex, a part of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, responds favorably to features such as symmetrical faces and “average” looks, making these traits stand out in a crowd. It’s almost as if there’s an inner cheerleader encouraging people to take the next step when someone fits these classic standards. Here’s where it gets interesting: Attraction runs much deeper than looks alone. Sometimes, a person’s unique smile, quirky sense of humor, or shared passions spark interest in unexpected ways. Even if these qualities aren’t celebrated by everyone, they can light up the rostromedial prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is tuned to personal connections and individual tastes. It’s the region quietly reminding people that it’s OK to fall for someone outside the “box,” because authenticity is just as powerful as beauty.

无论是在拥挤的房间里，还是在应用程序上滑动屏幕，吸引人们的不仅仅是模特般的美貌。背内侧前额叶皮质的一部分——旁扣带皮质，对对称的脸型和“普通”的长相等特征反应良好，使这些特征在人群中脱颖而出。就好像有一个内在的啦啦队长在鼓励人们在符合这些经典标准时迈出下一步。有趣的是：吸引力远不止外表。有时，一个人独特的微笑、古怪的幽默感或共同的爱好会以意想不到的方式激发人们的兴趣。即使这些品质并不为所有人所推崇，它们也能点亮大脑的喙内侧前额叶皮质，这一区域与人际关系和个人品味有关。这个区域默默地提醒人们，爱上“不合常规”的人是可以的，因为真实性和美貌一样强大。

Beyond Romance: What Else Is at Stake?

除了浪漫之外：还有什么危险？

This brain “social prediction engine” shapes far more than romance. It helps people choose friends, decide who to trust, and figure out who might become a lifelong ally. When this system encounters hurdles, such as social anxiety or certain neurological conditions, forming quick relationships or reading the room can feel significantly harder, but science reveals real ways to nurture and strengthen these connections over time.

大脑的“社交预测引擎”塑造的远不止爱情。它帮助人们选择朋友，决定信任谁，并找出谁可能成为终生盟友。当这个系统遇到障碍，例如社交焦虑或某些神经系统疾病时，快速建立关系或解读周围环境会变得非常困难，但科学揭示了随着时间的推移培养和加强这些联系的真正方法。

The exciting part? Our brains aren’t stuck in one mode. With new experiences, learning, and small, steady steps, this social prediction system improves its ability to understand how to interact and connect. Relationships, even those that start off awkwardly, can grow richer as the brain learns and adapts. Each chance to meet someone new or build trust is also an opportunity for the mind to change and improve its ability to read social cues.

令人兴奋的是？我们的大脑并非局限于一种模式。通过新的体验、学习以及循序渐进的进步，这个社交预测系统能够提升其理解互动和联系的能力。即使是那些一开始并不融洽的关系，随着大脑的学习和适应，也能变得更加丰富。每一次结识新朋友或建立信任的机会，也是大脑改变和提升解读社交暗示能力的机会。

So, the next time sparks fly—or don’t—on a first date or while meeting new people, remember: The brain is working overtime behind the scenes. Those gut feelings aren’t just random; they’re a blend of all human nature has to offer, mixed with a personal history that makes every connection unique. Realizing this can help everyone approach social situations with more curiosity and kindness, not just toward others but also toward oneself.

所以，下次初次约会或结识新朋友时，无论火花四溅还是毫无火花，请记住：大脑在幕后加班加点。这些直觉并非偶然，而是人性特质的融合，融合了个人经历，让每一次联系都独一无二。意识到这一点，可以帮助每个人以更多的好奇心和善意来应对社交场合，不仅对他人，也对自己。

来源：左右图史