Pupil dilation or dilated pupils are considered to be attractive. That has been a longstanding perception across societies and cultures. There is considerable scientific evidence to substantiate pupil dilation attraction and there are surveys as well as sufficient research to establish the same. But what exactly is pupil dilation attraction, how does it occur and why is it attractive?
First, pupil dilation occurs due to many reasons. Something as simple as irritation in the eyes can cause the pupils to dilate. There are particles in the air, referred to as particulates, which can cause pupils to dilate. An inability to see something, problems in the eye or vision and hormonal as well as blood circulation issues can also cause pupils to dilate. But in the general sense, vis-à-vis attraction, it is believed that pupils dilate when someone is interested in another person and thus in that person’s presence, pupils end up being dilated.
There is a term, pupillometrics, which deals with the study of size of pupils. According to several studies and research that have been conducted, men find dilated pupils in women to be more attractive. It is considered to be a sign that the woman is interested in the man. But women don’t always like dilated pupils in men. Researchers like psychologist Eckhardt Hess have reasoned that women don’t always like outwardly sexual expressions that can almost be regarded as signs of lust in men.
The art of pupil dilation attraction is simple to understand. When pupils dilate, the eyes are in their full size, completely visible and the entire gaze makes eyes look beautiful. It also expresses intent of paying attention or being there, in the moment, which psychologically plays a role in determining attractiveness.
The science of pupil dilation is however a little complicated. When someone is attracted to another person, it is natural for the eyes to try and observe more than what it normally does and that leads to a very subtle ocular opening. This action leads to the brain secreting a hormone known as norepinephrine. This hormone leads to the flexing of the dilator muscles of the eyeballs. As a result, the pupils dilate.
The understanding of the inner workings of the brain, muscles, hormones and eyes in the entire process does establish that pupil dilation attraction is not entirely a perception or a perceived belief that women, when interested in men, have dilated pupils. That also applies for the men as well.