the different types of attraction — specifically, the most common types: sexual attraction, romantic attraction, physical
attraction, emotional attraction and aesthetic attraction. What
do these attractions mean? How they might impact how you navigate platonic, sexual, and romantic relationships
Sexual and physical attraction are generally unconscious instinct based attractions. They are generally out of the persons control and are affected by physical makeups including body shape and physical features as well as unseen factors such as smells and pheromones. A person may be sexual or physically attracted to a person but dislike their personality. These type of attractions are great for sexual connections but not so great for intimate connection based relationships. A one night stand would be based on physical or sexual attraction.
Romantic and emotional attractions are based on thoughts, feelings and personalities rather than physical looks. A person may find themselves emotional attracted to a person but not find them physically attractive. Alternatively, a person could be both physically and emotionally attracted to a person. This makes for the best long term relationships.
If you’re aesthetically attracted to a person it means you find them nice to look at. You appreciate their looks and feel good when you look at them. A person may not feel romantically attracted to someone they find aesthetically pleasing. For example,a heterosexual women can be aesthetically attracted to another female but it doesn’t necessarily mean she wants to have a relationship, either sexual or romantic, with her.
