The concept of sexual attraction is a fascinating one, affecting everything from personal preferences to social behavior. It's no surprise that it also impacts interpersonal relationships, including the implicit emotional contracts formed between partners. These agreements can vary based on gender, age, culture, personality, and experience, but some general trends hold true across individuals. Here are three ways that sexual attraction can alter these contracts.
1. Loyalty
When people form an emotional connection through physical intimacy, they often feel more loyal to their partner. This sense of obligation may be heightened when there has been sexual contact between them, even if it wasn't exclusive. The act of engaging in sexual activity creates a powerful bond that can last long after the encounter ends, leading to increased feelings of commitment and dedication. In addition, sex often involves trust and vulnerability, which strengthens the emotional contract further. As a result, people who have had sex with someone else are less likely to cheat or stray from that relationship than those who haven't.
2. Presence
Sexual attraction can increase the desire for companionship and closeness, making people want to spend more time together. They may become more invested in their partner's well-being and daily life, seeking out opportunities to share experiences and support each other. This can lead to greater levels of presence and attention, as both parties work to maintain the connection they've built.
Too much time spent together without outside activities and friends can strain this agreement, potentially causing resentment or boredom.
3. Reassurance
Sexual attraction can also create a need for reassurance. After all, being physically intimate requires a certain level of comfort and safety, which isn't always easy to achieve. People may feel pressure to prove themselves worthy of such intimacy, leading to overcompensation or anxiety. This can make partners more reliant on one another, increasing the importance of consistent validation and praise. If these needs aren't met, the implicit emotional contract may be broken, leading to instability in the relationship.
Sexual attraction affects many aspects of our lives, including interpersonal relationships. By understanding how it impacts loyalty, presence, and reassurance, we can better navigate these agreements and ensure healthy connections.
How does sexual attraction alter the implicit emotional contracts people form about loyalty, presence, and reassurance?
Sexual attraction can alter the implicit emotional contracts that individuals have regarding loyalty, presence, and reassurance in various ways. Firstly, when two individuals experience mutual romantic attraction towards each other, they may start to perceive themselves as a couple who is exclusive of one another. This perception leads them to establish certain expectations from each other, such as being loyal and present for each other, which were not there before.