Perhaps most people will agree that women more readily fall in love than men, but is this mere conjecture, or is there a scientific basis for this assumption? After all, aren’t men popularly labeled as “players?” If so, wouldn’t it be logical to assume that they rarely become genuinely attached to someone, much less fall in love faster than women?

Surprisingly, men fall in love faster than women due to certain biological and psychological factors. Testosterone plays a huge part in influencing how a man reacts to stimuli, such as attraction and lust. The way their brains are hard-wired can also be the culprit.

Stick around to find out why men fall in love faster than women and the roles that testosterone, lust, and nonchalance play in a man’s psyche. You’ll also read about the different stages men typically go through as they fall deeper in love with someone and what factors usually transform them into unsuspecting, hopeless romantics. 

Why Do Men Fall In Love Faster Than Women?

It may come as a surprise to most, but according to science, men fall in love earlier than women, and this is all because of their psychological makeup. According to a study published in The Journal of Social Psychology involving 172 college students, men are less excitable and cautious than women concerning love, making them more inclined to validate (although not always accurately) their feelings prematurely.  

On the other hand, women are more guarded in matters of love. They tend to examine themselves more thoroughly before deciding that what they’re feeling is genuine. 

So you see, when men begin to develop strong emotions for another person, they are inclined to believe sooner that they’re truly in love and will often not hesitate to make their feelings known and pursue the object of their interest.

Biology plays a significant role here, too. Women generally have more to lose if they “waste” their time with the wrong person. Their biological clocks are constantly ticking, continuously inching them closer toward the culmination of their egg-producing days. Hence, they tend to be more circumspect because they can’t afford to waste too much time.

Alternatively, men produce an infinite quantity of sperm cells and can sire offspring well beyond their prime. This makes them somehow more nonchalant with the affairs of the heart and thus tend to fall in love faster than their female counterparts. 

Hormones are also to blame here — in this case, the male hormone, testosterone. It is responsible for the development of the male reproductive system, as well as typical male characteristics, like higher bone and muscle mass and increased body hair. More remarkably, testosterone plays a vital role in regulating a man’s libido — the psychic energy that boosts sexual drive.

When a man’s brain, specifically the hypothalamus, produces testosterone, they become more sexually motivated, and lust may quickly be misinterpreted as love. The primary driving force for lust is sexual gratification, and sometimes, men may interpret these overwhelming emotions as falling in love with the object of their desire. Additionally, when men are in this state, the functions of their brain’s prefrontal cortex are inhibited, including rational behavior. 

How Quickly Do Men Fall In Love?

It’s a tricky question because how soon it takes to fall in love varies from man to man, depending primarily on the circumstances involved, their personalities, and perhaps their level of maturity. However, what we can do is look into the stages involved when falling in love to get a clearer picture of how soon a man can affirm his enduring love and devotion for you.

Take a look at the 4 phases men typically go through when falling in love:

1. Phase 1: Attraction. Being the visual creatures they are, men are almost always initially pulled in by a person’s physical appearance. You don’t have to possess devilish good looks to capture a man’s attention — it could be anything about your physical traits that he may find attractive, no matter how seemingly mundane to you. 
2. Phase 2: Fixation. This stage is when attraction develops into infatuation. The man can’t stop thinking about you and is contemplating actively pursuing you.
3. Phase 3: Wooing. You’ve reached the stage where the man begins working hard at impressing you. This is the fun part where you get to go out on dates; he showers you with gifts and tries to win you over with his charm and sincerity. You might say this is the getting-to-know-each-other phase.
4. Phase 4: The Verdict. This final phase is where the man becomes convinced that he has indeed fallen in love with you (or not). If he has, then he is essentially at your mercy at this point. 

What Makes Men Fall In Love?

So, what is it that makes a man become smitten by the object of his affection? Well, there isn’t a foolproof formula or secret weapon that can ensure someone’s undying devotion. However, here are some of the most common factors that usually make men fall hopelessly in love:

1. He Likes What He Sees

Love at first sight may seem like such a cliche, but men are more quickly stimulated than women by their sense of sight. A survey revealed that 72% of men believe in the concept of love at first sight, as opposed to only 61% of women. When men feel physically attracted and drawn to someone, the feeling of falling in love with that person is bound to come next. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has to always be physically at the top of their game to boost their chances of finding a mate. You could be in jeans and an old shirt, yet a man could still find you attractive. It could be your smile, eyes, or the way you tuck your hair behind your ear that grabs his attention. 

2. He Can Visualize a Future With You

This may take a man by surprise, but seeing a future with you will usually make him realize that he’s falling in love with you. Men are commonly unfairly labeled by society as “players,” so realizing he wants to be in this for the long haul is not something that he often comes face to face with. This may initially seem daunting to him, but once he realizes that such a relationship promises a future of security, peace, and love, he’ll surely want to pursue it. 

Visualizing a future with you is usually triggered by common interests. Do you both love hiking and spending time outdoors? Is a weekend spent preparing sumptuous gourmet meals something that excites you both? It’s certainly appealing to imagine a future spending time with someone you have so much in common with. 

3. You Appreciate His Worth

These days, society’s standards and expectations can be extremely taxing, so it can be refreshing to meet someone who accepts you for who you really are. Men are no exception to this, and they’ll typically find themselves falling fast for someone who recognizes their worth. 

A man will have no trouble exposing his vulnerability and true colors if he knows he is in safe hands and won’t be misjudged, ridiculed, or rejected. If you make him feel great about himself, chances are he’ll reciprocate and eventually see you as an irreplaceable presence in his life. 

4. He Feels Your Authenticity

Wouldn’t it be such a letdown if you’re openly showing your true colors to someone who isn’t as authentic as you hoped they would be? Honesty begets honesty, and a man would become even more assured of his developing feelings for you if you’re not afraid to show him exactly who you are. 

Final Thoughts

Falling in love is complicated and tricky. It’s challenging enough for anyone to enter this stage, but for men to cross this threshold as swiftly as they apparently do seems even more daunting and, admittedly, quite surprising.

So maybe it’s time to see them in a different light — in a much gentler perspective — because evidently, they aren’t as tough and unfeeling as they often portray themselves to be.