Flirting can be an exciting and enjoyable way to connect with someone new online. But what happens when you're just starting to get to know each other? Flirting triggers physical responses, cognitive processes, and emotional reactions that can either lead to a positive interaction or create awkwardness. Here are some examples.
Flirting increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. This is called physiological arousal and it can be seen as excitement or anxiety. It's natural for people to feel nervous around someone they like, so this increase in arousal may help you feel more alive and alert during the conversation.
If you don't know how the person will respond, it can also cause stress.
Your brain begins processing the situation based on past experiences and current context. You may remember previous interactions and compare them to the present one. If you've had negative experiences with someone similar, it can make you more cautious and less likely to engage further. On the other hand, if you have positive associations with flirting, you might find yourself feeling excited and eager to continue the conversation.
Emotions play a role in how you react to someone who's trying to attract your attention. Feelings of attraction, affection, and desire can be strong motivators for continuing the conversation. But if you don't share those feelings, you may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.
The interaction between these three factors – physiological arousal, cognitive processing, and emotional response – determines whether you keep talking to this person or move on to someone else.
Now let's take an example: Alice and Bob meet online and start chatting. Alice sends a message saying "Hi, I think you're cute." This sets off a chain reaction of responses in both their bodies. First, their hearts race and breathing speeds up, causing physical arousal. Their brains process this information by comparing it to past experiences and noticing that they like each other.
Emotional reactions kick in as they realize they are attracted to each other. These three responses work together to create a sense of connection and interest, which can lead to a deeper relationship if both people are open to it.
If one of them isn't interested, there may be awkwardness or even confusion as they try to figure out what went wrong.
How do first online flirtations trigger interactions between physiological arousal, cognitive processing, and emotional response?
A recent study found that the initiation of romantic online contact is associated with heightened physiological arousal, increased mental activity, and positive emotions. The process begins with the initial stages of attraction, wherein potential mates communicate through digital means such as texting, emailing, or instant messaging. This interaction triggers activation in the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate and blood pressure.