The attraction between people can be explained using different theories.
Some psychologists believe that it is due to the attribution theory where individuals assign positive traits to others based on their perception of themselves. Others argue that it could stem from the evolutionary perspective where sexual selection leads to preferences for certain physical features like symmetry, youthfulness, health, and fertility.
Social exchange theory posits that attractiveness results from reciprocity and mutual benefits.
These explanations do not explore how workplace attractions reflect unconscious competition or submission motives.
Competition occurs when one person feels they are superior to another and seek to gain an advantage over them, while submission involves giving up power to someone else. In the workplace, these dynamics may manifest through various behaviors such as flirting, teasing, or gossiping about colleagues. When employees compete for status and recognition at work, they may use sex appeal as a tool to outperform others. This can lead to office romances, which may create tension and jealousy among co-workers. On the other hand, when employees submit to superiors' authority, they may feel pressured to engage in risky behavior to please them, leading to risks such as harassment or assault.
Research has shown that workplace attractions often involve gender roles.
Women tend to be more submissive than men, so they might become victims of objectification and mistreatment by male colleagues. Men, on the other hand, may compete with each other for promotions and salaries, using female coworkers as trophies to impress their bosses. These situations illustrate how attraction becomes a game of strategy, where individuals strive for dominance or submission based on societal norms.
Workplace attractions reveal complex psychological dynamics beyond physical or social preferences. They reflect unconscious competition or submission motives that shape relationships and power dynamics in the workplace. Understanding these underlying factors is crucial for creating healthier and safer working environments where everyone feels valued and respected.
How do workplace attractions reflect unconscious competition or submission motives?
A study found that employees who perceived their coworkers as highly attractive tended to be more motivated by social rewards (e. g. , recognition from peers) compared to those who did not find their colleagues appealing. This suggests that attraction towards one's coworkers can serve as an indicator of social dominance.