Iliana Samara is a researcher specialising in the psychology of attraction and social cognition. Her work focuses on how attraction captures our attention and influences the way we perceive and interact with others, as well as the role of coordination between individuals in forming romantic bonds.
Iliana Samara is a researcher specialising in the psychology of attraction and social cognition. Her work focuses on how attraction captures our attention and influences the way we perceive and interact with others, as well as the role of coordination between individuals in forming romantic bonds.
How attraction shapes attention and social cognition
In her recent studies, Samara has combined speed-dating paradigms with experimental tasks and eye-tracking technology to examine how people focus their attention on those they find attractive. She has also investigated how attraction shapes social cognition—how we interpret others' behaviors and intentions. Her findings reveal that attraction can influence our perception of facial expressions. For example, we may perceive a neutral expression as more positive or appealing if it comes from someone we are attracted to, or less so if we are not.
Synchrony and pair-bond formation
She also studies inter-individual coordination—the subtle synchrony that develops between people during interactions—and its role in pair-bond formation. This synchrony involves the alignment of emotional responses and even physiological rhythms, such as heart rate. By analysing real speed-dating videos, she has demonstrated that higher levels of this synchrony often correspond with stronger mutual attraction between partners.
Engaging adolescents through citizen science
Currently, Samara is leading a citizen science project funded by the NWO Wetenschapscommunicatie grant and the Gemeente Leiden. This project involves young adolescents in exploring questions they find personally meaningful about attraction, love, and their interaction with cognition. By involving young people directly in the research, the project aims to gain unique insights into how attraction, love, and cognitive processes influence each other during adolescence.
