Attraction

Attraction

(noun)

There are many different types of attraction. All of these attractions are valid and may be independent from each other or interact with each other in a variety of ways. Attraction can be present or absent in everything from friendships to life partners. Each relationship is a unique experience. This is why some people identify not only with their sexuality but also with their romantic attraction using the suffix -romantic (panromantic, homoromantic). This is especially common in the asexual community where a focus on romantic relationships or platonic relationships is more visible. 

e.g. Kent experiences romantic attraction for femmes but has emotional platonic attraction to many other people.

Types of Attraction

  • Sexual Attraction: Attraction that makes people desire sexual contact or shows sexual interest in another person(s). Sexual attraction is different from having a sex drive, which is a biological instinct.

  • Romantic Attraction: This is attraction that makes people desire romantic contact or interaction with another person(s).

  • Sensual Attraction: Attraction that makes people desire physical closeness, tactile, and non-sexual contact with another person(s), such as hugging or cuddling.

  • Emotional Attraction: This is attraction that makes people desire getting to know another person(s). Emotional attraction is present in many personal relationships, including platonic friendships and familial relationships.

  • Mental Attraction: Attraction that makes people desire to engage with another person(s) in a thoughtful manner. Examples include having deep conversations or engaging in thought-provoking activities together. This has nothing to do with Western ideas of “intelligence” as something measurable, as some claim. Rather, it refers to an attraction to how a person thinks, how they solve problems, or how they interpret and engage with the world.

  • Aesthetic Attraction: Attraction that occurs when someone appreciates the appearance or beauty of another person(s), not necessarily connected to other types of attraction.

Return to the Index.

Back to the Introductory Terms Guided Tours.

Back to the Attraction Terms Guided Tour.

Share to your communities:

We are in the middle of implementing our Spanish Translation. Please be aware that some content may be incomplete or inaccessible at this time. There will be an announcement on our Patreon page when we have fully implemented the translation. Thank you for your patience.

X
en_USEnglish