9 inner qualities most men find attractive in a woman, according to psychology

Tina Fey by Tina Fey | September 20, 2024, 12:52 pm

All women who are attracted to men want to know what they find attractive in women. Don’t pretend like it’s not true. 

Of course, men are like snowflakes and each is going to have their individual preferences and quirks. However, there are some inner qualities that psychology has underlined as universally attractive for men. 

Want to know scientific secrets about men’s inner desires? 

In this article, I’ll cover some inner qualities women can have that attract men — according to psychology. 

1) A sense of humor

So, we all know having a good sense of humor is key in relationships, right? 

But recent studies say men and women have different takes on it. It turns out that men aren’t necessarily into funny women like we might think. They actually care more about their partner’s reaction to their own jokes. Egotistical much? 

Oh well, it is what it is. 

And it turns out to be a mutually beneficial two-way street.

While men generally lean towards a partner who’s receptive to their humor, women like funny guys who can endlessly crack jokes to keep the laughter rolling.

Life’s too short to take everything so seriously. A good sense of humor is like a breath of fresh air. 

Whether you’re cracking jokes, teasing each other, or laughing at life’s absurdities, humor creates an instant connection that transcends words. 

2) Honestly for the long hall

Nobody likes being lied to. 

If you’ve ever been with someone who feels like it’s their duty to “protect you from the truth,” you’ll know how frustrating it is. 

When you’re dealing with a dishonest person, you may as well be trying to communicate with a stone. 

Lies make it virtually IMPOSSIBLE to communicate well — what’s the point? 

Women don’t like being lied to, and neither do men. 

Studies show that honesty is an attractive feature

The study looked at how people’s perceptions of someone’s physical appearance were influenced by their personality traits. 

The researchers had a group of students read descriptions of a person’s personality, then showed them a photo of that person and asked them to rate their physical characteristics. 

They found that when the person was described as honest, they were seen as more fit, healthier, and had a kinder, more attractive face compared to when they were described as dishonest. 

Isn’t that wild?

The study also found that people’s overall liking for the person influenced their perceptions of their physical appearance. 

3) Kindness: The genuine heart

Kindness isn’t just a trait — it’s a way of life. 

Whether it’s lending a helping hand to a stranger or showing compassion to those in need, acts of kindness speak volumes about your inner character. 

Real kindness isn’t about seeking praise for public virtue signaling. 

People who are genuinely kind don’t announce it with trumpets and bells. They give when nobody else is watching, and don’t announce their charity all over social media. 

It turns out that men are attracted to this inner quality — and why wouldn’t they be? Isn’t it the most admirable of all? 

This study shows how moral virtues, like kindness and fidelity, can make someone more attractive to potential mates.

It suggests that these virtues may have evolved because they signal good genetic quality, parenting abilities, or other desirable traits. 

Aside from that, I think we know instinctively that kindness means less conflict and more compassion in the long run. 

You don’t need a sharp mind to know that — but if you have one, all the better. 

4) The sharp mind — just not too sharp

Intelligence is an undeniably attractive trait

Everyone wants someone who they can deep dive into complex topics with, right? 

Well, yes. But it turns out it’s not THAT simple when it comes to men’s attraction for women. 

You might have heard the stereotype that men are less attracted to women who are smarter than them. 

It turns out that while men are attracted to intelligent women, they do feel threatened, and thus, less attracted to women who are more intelligent than them. 

Studies show that from far away, men like intelligent women who are intelligent, but not from up close. 

So while they like to admire smart women from afar, they don’t generally want relationships with women who will outdo them intellectually. 

It’s a bit of a strange paradox, but that’s what psychological science shows!

5) Men like mirroring 

Mirroring someone’s actions without realizing it, is a big deal in relationships, including romantic ones. 

It helps us feel closer and more comfortable with each other. 

When we copy someone’s body language or way of speaking, it shows we’re interested and paying attention to them. 

In romantic relationships, mirroring can show we like someone and want to build up those romantic feelings.

Mirroring also helps us understand each other better.

By copying someone, we can better see things from their point of view and connect with them emotionally. 

This kind of understanding is super important for making relationships work, especially in the bedroom. 

Mirroring isn’t just about copying — it’s about:

6) Calmness

While drama queens might be exciting for a short time, men tend to prefer calmer women — especially for longer relationships. 

It makes sense. Rollercoasters are fun, but can you fault a guy who doesn’t want to be stuck on one forever? 

Calm women are better able to cope with unexpected situations and crises. They don’t get anxious over trifles and are easier to be around. 

Being calm isn’t always a trait you’re born with — it’s also something you can practice through:

  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Exercise
  • Deep breathing

It won’t just make you more attractive to men, it will also make you feel great!

7) Empathy: The heartfelt understanding

Empathy is the ability to truly understand and resonate with other people’s emotions. 

When you show genuine empathy, you create a deep emotional connection that goes beyond words. 

It’s instinctive; everyone likes to feel like someone cares about them.

Empathy fosters: 

  • Trust
  • Intimacy
  • Emotional bonds 

But empathy in women goes beyond just listening to the man and making him feel heard. Research shows that it’s also an indicator that she’ll make a good mother.

Even men who don’t want children are subconsciously attracted to features and qualities that mean a woman would be a fit mother. It’s evolutionary. 

8) Authenticity: They want the real you

Authenticity can be magnetic. 

It’s often easy to tell when someone isn’t being themselves and only wants to fit in with crowd standards. 

If human beings were supposed to all be the same, we would have just been copied and pasted — but we’re not. 

What makes life so beautiful and colorful is that we’re all popping with uniqueness — we should embrace it. 

It can be frightening to be yourself and put your soul on the line in new relationships — but men find your authenticity attractive

It’s about embracing your true self — flaws, quirks, and all — and letting your inner radiance shine through. 

When you’re authentic, you attract people who appreciate you for who you are, not who you think you should be. 

9) Ambition

Ambition is like a spark that ignites the fire within you — it’s that inner drive to set goals, chase dreams, and push yourself to new heights. 

Men are naturally attracted to women who have ambition because it shows that they’re passionate about their goals and not afraid to work hard to achieve them.

When a woman is ambitious, she’s not content with just coasting through life — she’s constantly striving for more, reaching for the stars, and refusing to settle for anything less than she deserves. 

And that kind of determination is undeniably attractive.

Ambition also signals: 

  • Confidence
  • Independence
  • Skill

These are all qualities that men find appealing in a partner. 

It shows that you have a strong sense of self-worth and aren’t afraid to take charge of your own destiny.

Ambitious women also tend to be more interesting and dynamic, with a wealth of experiences and stories to share.

Last thoughts

We all know men are attracted to physical beauty. 

But it isn’t all about red dresses, high heels, and perfectly symmetrical geometry — inner qualities also matter. 

Of course, not all men are attracted to the same type of woman. But psychology has a few things to say about the general landscape of attractive. 

Most men find honesty and empathy attractive, as these two personality traits tend to be good predictors of having a peaceful long-term relationship. 

Not surprisingly, men also love it when you laugh at their jokes — and who doesn’t love a funny guy? 

When it comes to intelligence, things get a bit more complicated. 

Studies show that men find intelligent women attractive — but only from afar. If a woman is more intelligent than them, it may make them feel threatened, so not every man finds intelligent ladies’ relationship material. 

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