INTRODUCTION TO ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
TOPICS
INTRODUCTION
Humans are an undeniably vain species. Whether we admit it or not, much of our daily effort revolves around appearance, social desirability, and the pursuit of attraction. We like to believe that self-care is a deeply personal endeavour. We have never even seen our real face in the flesh, and we never will! We only know what we look like in 2D because mirrors and selfies do not tell us the truth. Strangely, almost everyone we meet knows our faces better than we do. Despite this "face blindness," we are unspeakably vain.
Our investment in beauty, fitness, and self-presentation is rarely just for ourselves. Instead, it is often driven by how we wish to be perceived by others because we recognise that our appearance is highly marketable in attracting romantic partners.
WE LOVE OURSELVES A LOT
On average, it's estimated that people spend about 1 to 2 hours per day grooming, which includes activities like showering, dressing, and personal care. Throughout a lifetime, this can add up to several years of dedication to appearance.
As of 2023, our spending on beauty products, such as the global cosmetic industry, exceeded £400 billion.
15.1 million people had cosmetic procedures worldwide, e.g., plastic surgery (2020).
Over 40% of US & UK adults attempted to lose weight by dieting (2020).
Billions of people upload selfies onto social media daily. Many of these selfies have been filtered or digitally altered to make the person in the image look more attractive.
$8 billion was spent on advertising beauty products in 2019.
During lockdowns, we witnessed a shift in our dressing habits. People didn't dress up to the nines at home, and makeup took a backseat. Most people wore tracksuits and pyjamas.
This raises intriguing questions about the role of dressing for others versus dressing for ourselves.
HORMONES
Several hormones play crucial roles in romantic love and sexual behaviour:
Oxytocin: Often called the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone," oxytocin is associated with bonding, trust, and intimacy. It is released during physical affection, such as hugging, kissing, and sexual activity, promoting attachment between partners.
Vasopressin: Similar to oxytocin, vasopressin is involved in pair bonding and attachment. It influences behaviours related to mate guarding, territoriality, and aggression, particularly in males.
Testosterone: Testosterone is primarily known as the male sex hormone, but it also plays a role in female sexual desire and arousal. It influences libido, sexual motivation, and aggression in both sexes.
Oestrogen: Oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone, but it is also present in males in smaller amounts. It contributes to regulating menstrual cycles, ovulation, and fertility in females. In males, estrogen helps maintain bone density and libido.
Progesterone: Progesterone is mainly associated with the female reproductive system, particularly during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. It influences mood, libido, and sexual receptivity.
Dopamine: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation. It is involved in the brain's reward system and plays a crucial role in the anticipation and experience of sexual pleasure.
Serotonin: Serotonin is involved in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep, but it also affects sexual desire and arousal. Imbalances in serotonin levels can lead to changes in libido and sexual function.
Prolactin: Prolactin is primarily known for its role in lactation and milk production in females. However, it also influences sexual satisfaction and behavior by suppressing libido and inducing feelings of sexual satiety after orgasm.
