Can attraction change?

Attraction is absolutely something that changes over time.  But what are the causes that influence our attraction to change over time?  Numerous variables influence our evolution of attraction.  Here are a few to consider:

1. Brain development: Our attraction will change as our brain matures through age.  In your adolescent stage, your brain is more impulsive and easily influenced by your peers.  So your attraction is impacted by those you associate and spend your time with.  Given the impulsivity piece, you may be attracted to someone who is a risk-taker.   In your young adult years, you may be more attracted to someone due to their physical presentation; again, this is being activated by developing your brain functioning.  When you reach your adult to senior years, you may find other attributes to be attractive, such as safety and stabilization. 
2. Our life experiences:  Adverse life experiences can influence how we become attracted to someone.  It is commonly said that those who grew up in a household with violence may find themselves in relationships where violence is common.  However, this is not a cycle that is permanent in nature.  People can break the domestic violence cycle and find themselves in healthy relationships.  If you have been experiencing domestic violence, reach out for help immediately. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thus, who they may be attracted to will change.  That person breaking the cycle will no longer find any appeal to someone who has that dominant/aggressive personality and perhaps will find attraction in someone caring and compassionate. 
3. Values system: What we identify as our values can influence our attraction to people.  For example, if you find values in religion or healthy, you are likely to be attracted to someone with similar values.  At certain points in our lives, our values may change, and thus what we find to be important will change.  You may not find yourself attracted to someone who mimics your changed values. 

Sometimes our attraction with a person can change over time; it can evolve into a deeper attraction than when you first established the attraction to begin with.  Perhaps you start with finding an attraction to someone’s physique or personality. But as the relationship evolves, you become attracted to them as a whole person and the life you have built with this person.  However, it should be understood that this kind of change in attraction requires attention to every development of the said relationship.