Individual differences in dispositional mindfulness and initial romantic attraction: A speed dating experiment

• Investigated mindfulness as a predictor of initial romantic attraction.
• Conducted a speed-dating experiment.
• High male mindfulness predicted high female initial attraction.
• Female physical attractiveness predicted high male initial attraction.

Initial romantic attraction has important implications for the development of romantic relationships. Much research demonstrates that physical attractiveness predicts initial romantic attraction. However, less is known about the influence of individual difference characteristics on initial romantic attraction. Here we examined whether dispositional mindfulness predicted initial romantic attraction beyond the effects of physical attractiveness in a speed-dating experiment. Women were more attracted to men higher in dispositional mindfulness, beyond the effects of physical attractiveness. Men were more attracted to women who were more physically attractive, but female mindfulness did not influence male initial attraction. This is the first study to examine the role of dispositional mindfulness in predicting initial romantic attraction.