Why do pupils dilate in response to emotional state?

Question

I just came across an article on the internet stating that, pupils dilate when we find someone or something attractive. So, as far as I know, this kind of dilation doesn't seem to have any effect on attractiveness of subject, does it? For example: Suppose if a one person A in love with person B, and pupils of A tend to dilate when seeing B, What effect does it have on B? Any psychological effect perhaps?

Answer 1

Hello!

With increased epinephrine (adrenaline) levels, there is often pupillary dilation; for example, our pupils dilate in the exact same manner when we are frightened as they do when we are attracted to someone.

Thus, it wouldn’t be a valid means of discerning one’s specific emotional state (I.e., whether positive or negative).