In any romantic relationship, partners often seek to find common ground in their likes and dislikes, which can lead them to seek out similarities in their overall personalities and temperaments.
Research has shown that there may be an association between certain personality traits and one's ability to achieve physical and emotional fulfillment within a sexual relationship. This article will explore how temperament similarity can impact various aspects of sexual experiences, including arousal, sexual responsiveness, and emotional satisfaction.
Temperament refers to an individual's predisposition towards behavior, mood, and attitude, based on genetics, environment, and life experience. It encompasses both innate and learned characteristics, such as introversion/extroversion, agreeableness/antagonism, openness/closedness, conscientiousness/carelessness, neuroticism/emotional stability, and extraversion/introversion. Temperament is generally stable over time and across situations, although it can change slightly depending on context.
Research suggests that individuals who are more compatible in terms of temperament tend to experience greater sexual attraction and arousal than those with lower levels of compatibility. One study found that couples who rated themselves as more emotionally close tended to have higher levels of mutual sexual arousal compared to less closely matched pairs (Henderson & Hendrickson, 2013). Similarly, another study found that women who were similar to their partner on measures of emotional stability and conscientiousness had higher levels of desire for sex compared to those whose partners differed from them on these traits (Pascalis et al., 2005). These findings suggest that individuals may be drawn to partners who share similar personality traits, which could lead to increased physical and emotional intimacy within the relationship.
In addition to increasing sexual arousal, research has also linked temperament similarity to improved sexual responsiveness. This involves the ability to respond positively and quickly to sexual cues, such as touch or visual stimuli. Studies have shown that partners who report higher levels of temperamental congruence tend to engage in longer and more frequent sexual encounters than couples with lesser levels of concordance (Basson & Davis, 2008; Roney & Simpson, 2017).
Research indicates that partners who report high levels of temperamental compatibility tend to have better communication about their sexual desires and needs (Roney & Simpson, 2017), which can contribute to a more fulfilling sexual experience.
Temperament similarity may play a role in emotional satisfaction within a romantic relationship. Individuals who are more compatible in terms of temperament tend to feel more comfortable sharing their feelings and being emotionally vulnerable with one another (Lee et al., 2019). This greater level of emotional intimacy can lead to stronger bonds and deeper connection between partners, contributing to overall happiness in the relationship.
One study found that women who were matched for emotional stability reported higher levels of relationship quality compared to those whose partner was low on this trait (Davis et al., 2013).
These findings suggest that individuals may seek out similarities in their personality traits when choosing a romantic partner, as this can enhance physical and emotional aspects of their relationships. By being aware of how their own temperament influences their sexual experiences, individuals may be able to identify areas where they would benefit from seeking out partners who share similar characteristics or values.
It is important to note that other factors such as attraction, chemistry, and sexual compatibility also play a role in determining whether two people are truly compatible and will complement each other physically and emotionally.
How does temperament similarity impact sexual responsiveness, arousal, and emotional satisfaction?
Temperament similarity can have different effects on sexual responsiveness, arousal, and emotional satisfaction, depending on various factors such as relationship history, communication styles, cultural norms, and personal values. Research suggests that individuals who are similar in their basic temperaments (e. g. , extraversion vs introversion) tend to be more sexually compatible than those with opposite temperaments.