You’ve only just met, and it feels like you’ve known for a long time, what is it about?

It is not uncommon to feel a sense of familiarity and connection when meeting someone for the first time. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “stranger effect” or “love at first sight.” There are several psychological explanations for this phenomenon.

One theory suggests that the stranger effect is caused by a subconscious recognition of certain similarities between two people. When we meet someone new, our brains subconsciously search for similarities between us and the other person in order to determine if we can trust them. When we find similarities, we often feel a sense of connection and familiarity with the other person.

Another explanation is that the stranger effect is a result of the “mere-exposure effect.” This effect states that the more we are exposed to something, the more we tend to like it. When we meet someone for the first time, our brains are already familiar with the other person’s face, voice, and mannerisms. This familiarity can make us feel like we have known the other person for a long time, even though we have just met.

A third explanation is that the stranger effect is caused by a phenomenon known as “unconditional positive regard.” This is a concept developed by psychologist Carl Rogers that states that we are all born with an innate need for acceptance and love. When we meet someone for the first time, our brains may subconsciously search for signs of acceptance and love from the other person. When we find these signs, we often feel a sense of connection and familiarity with the other person.

Overall, the stranger effect is a mysterious phenomenon that can’t be fully explained. However, it is clear that there are psychological explanations for why we may feel a sense of familiarity and connection when meeting someone for the first time.