The idea that sexual attraction plays a role in how people perceive conflict is nothing new. In fact, it's been studied extensively in psychology for decades. But what exactly is going on when someone looks at a potential mate and sees them as being more attractive than others around them? It turns out that there are several factors at play. One of those factors is physical appearance - research has shown time and again that people tend to find those who are physically similar to themselves more appealing than those who don't share their facial features or body type. This holds true even when controlling for other variables such as race or socioeconomic status.
Another factor that seems to be involved is social status. Researchers have found that men and women both prefer partners who have higher social standing than they do. This may be because we see ourselves reflected back through the eyes of the person we're interacting with, and if they seem successful and confident, we feel better about ourselves too. And since success usually comes with power, having a partner who is more powerful than you can help boost your own self-esteem.
But what happens when two people who are attracted to each other get into an argument? How does their perception of fairness change? Does one partner suddenly become more sympathetic to the other just because he or she finds him or her sexually desirable? Not necessarily. In fact, some studies suggest that the opposite may be true - that conflicts between romantic partners can actually intensify feelings of resentment and anger rather than diffusing them.
One possible explanation for this effect could be that sexual attraction creates a sense of intimacy and connection between two people. When someone feels close to another person, they are more likely to expect them to treat them fairly and with respect. If instead, they experience unfair treatment from someone whom they perceive as being attractive, it may cause hurt feelings and even damage trust in the relationship. So while sexual attraction can certainly play a role in shaping our view of others around us, it doesn't always lead to more harmonious interactions.
How does sexual attraction impact perceptions of fairness in conflict resolution?
In a study conducted by Dambrun et al (2015), it was found that individuals who are sexually attracted to each other tend to perceive themselves as being more similar in terms of fairness than those who are not sexually attracted. Specifically, individuals who were romantically interested in one another rated their level of similarity on an "interdependence" scale higher than those who were not.