Page 158 - Demo

156Chapter 9AbstractChoosing our partner is one of the most important decisions in our life.However, the specific mechanism(s) underlying partner selection are notwell understood. Previous research has suggested that mimicry betweenpeople facilitates social bond formation. However, whether the productionand mimicry of specific expressions associated with flirting are predictiveof attraction has recently been debated. Here, we conducted a real-lifespeed-dating study and micro-coded behaviours in 49 couples, half of whichindicated mutual attraction and half not. We coded behaviours associatedwith attraction, specifically coy smiles, eyebrow flushes, as well as genuinesmiles and polite smiles and tested whether they predict attraction to a partner. As expected, we found that mimicry of coy smiles predicted attraction.Interestingly, we found that genuine smiles predicted decreased attractionto a partner. Our findings suggest that mimicry of specific cues that reflectattraction is associated with dating success.Based on:Samara, I., Fiacchino, D., Roth, T. S., de Vries, E., Kret, M. E., & Nikolić,M. (in preparation). The subtle art of seduction: Mimicry of coy smilesenhances interpersonal attraction.AbstractChoosing our partner is one of the most important decisions in our life.However, the specific mechanism(s) underlying partner selection are notwell understood. Previous research has suggested that mimicry betweenpeople facilitates social bond formation. However, whether the productionand mimicry of specific expressions associated with flirting are predictiveof attraction has recently been debated. Here, we conducted a real-lifespeed-dating study and micro-coded behaviours in 49 couples, half of whichindicated mutual attraction and half not. We coded behaviours associatedwith attraction, specifically coy smiles, eyebrow flushes, as well as genuinesmiles and polite smiles and tested whether they predict attraction to a partner. As expected, we found that mimicry of coy smiles predicted attraction.Interestingly, we found that genuine smiles predicted decreased attractionto a partner. Our findings suggest that mimicry of specific cues that reflectattraction is associated with dating success.Based on:Samara, I., Fiacchino, D., Roth, T. S., de Vries, E., Kret, M. E., & Nikolić,M. (in preparation). The subtle art of seduction: Mimicry of coy smilesenhances interpersonal attraction.Iliana Samara 17x24.indd 156 08-04-2024 16:36