What types of attraction exist between people?

Our lives are based on the relationships we establish with people, whether they are friends, family or more romantic or sexual relationshipsThe truth is that there are different types of attraction that attract us to people and it does not have to be with romantic connotations.

What is attraction?

The attraction It is the desire that people feel to meet or get closer to a person that interests them. However, the attraction that we can feel towards a person or the attraction that a person can feel towards us does not have to be for the purpose of having a carnal or loving relationship.

Society has associated attraction with sexuality, because a person attracts us and seems physically attractive, or romantic, that is, we are interested in them and would like to go further and establish a relationship. However, thinking this is wrong. Attraction is much more, all the interpersonal relationships we establish are because there is an attraction, whether it is interest, meeting them and them being your friend, etc.

Attraction occurs when a person creates a feeling of wanting to get to know them and establish some kind of bond with them. This can apply to any type of relationship. But what types of attraction exist?

1. Sexual attraction

When we think of the word 'attraction' the first thing that comes to mind is the sexual attraction. This type of attraction occurs when a person, whether we know them or not, sparks an interest in us and we want to establish intimate contact with them. This type of attraction can occur without the need for an emotional connection. This occurs because we may find them attractive or due to other factors. There are two types of sexual attraction:

  • Subjective sexual attraction. This type of attraction occurs when you are attracted to a person beyond the physical, that is, if there is a sexual attraction but where the strongest component may be that you like the person's way of being, their way of expressing themselves, etc. This happens a lot when you start to get to know a person; at first you may be physically attracted to them but as you get to know them, a more 'emotional' factor prevails. Or there may simply be no previous relationship with that person.
  • Objective sexual attractionIn this type of attraction, we do feel a strong physical attraction, that is, we may not want to establish any type of sexual relationship with that person for different factors, but objectively it is attractive.

2. Sentimental attraction

Emotional factors come into play in emotional attraction. We must differentiate this from romantic love, since emotional attraction can be a relationship of affection and love towards a friend or a family member such as your mother or father. However, sexual attraction also plays a role in romantic attraction.

Therefore, sentimental attraction occurs when you really love a person, such as a friend or your sister, but it is not a romantic type of relationship. Rather, it is a person who creates intense feelings and with whom you have a loving relationship.

3. Friendship attraction

Is there a relationship of attraction in friendship? If we think about the people we care about, we probably think about our friends, those with whom we have a very special relationship, one of affection and admiration, but, even though it is a more or less close or emotional relationship, the truth is that it is established by attraction.

When we decide to be friends with someone or start talking to a person, without romantic intentions, it is because we are interested in that person, because we have wanted to start a conversation with that person because of their good appearance or a good feeling that they have transmitted to you. In other words, you have been attracted by the desire to talk to them. Therefore, Yes, there is an attraction in friendship in order to establish a relationship of trust.

4. Romantic attraction

When we feel a romantic attraction towards someone is because we feel the desire to establish a loving relationship with that person. Here feelings and a more emotional attraction come into play.

This type of attraction can arise when you have known someone for some time or you have a friendship with that person, but you want that to change and transform it into a romantic relationship. This happens because you may like the way that person is or any factor that has awakened a sentimental component in you.

5. Intellectual attraction

The intellectual attraction It occurs in those people who are attracted to a person for their intelligence, who provides or offers us different points of view, knowledge, arguments, etc. That is to say, we are very interested in their intellectual side, but this does not mean that there is no other type of attraction, such as sexual.

When someone attracts you intellectually, they begin to interest you and your initial perception can change, that is, the attraction that their intelligence awakens in you makes you start to look at them with different eyes and awakens in you a physical or sexual attraction.

6. Aesthetic attraction

Here the component is the perception of the person, that is, that we like the way they dress, their style, their way of expressing themselves, etc. This type of attraction awakens interest or admiration for a person without you needing to establish some type of intimate relationship with them.

7. Sensory attraction

The sensory attraction It can be confused with sexual or romantic because it involves the desire to physical contactbut without there actually being a sexual attraction or relationship. This type of attraction is based on establishing a close and physical relationship with a person, such as hugs, caresses, a relationship of contact and proximity but nothing beyond that, nor based on romantic love.

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Therefore, there are different types of factors that can attract us to a person, without this attraction having to imply any romantic connotation as is often believed. Interpersonal relationships are fundamental in our lives and they provide us with many things that make us move forward every day. That is why we must take care of them as they deserve.

If there is a relationship in your life that creates instability, distrust, that is, that brings you negative things and prevents you from moving forward or being totally happy, it is best that you end that relationship, whether it is friendship or a couple. Since it can cause you emotional damage that can affect the correct development of your day to day life and the best way to solve these bad feelings will be to go to psychological therapy.

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