Orientation and Attraction
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Attraction describes a feeling of interest or desire towards a particular individual. Orientation is an individual's displayed pattern of attraction towards a set of genders or individuals.[1] Libido or Drive is one's desire for certain activities such as sex or romance, regardless of target gender.[2] Relationship is a descriptor for how two or more individuals relate, behave, or interact with one another.[3]
Attraction, orientation, drive, and relationships are umbrella terms for various subtypes, the two most common types being sexual and romantic. Types that are not sexual nor romantic are considered tertiary identities or descriptors. Individuals that experience attraction to the same gender(s) both romantically and sexually are considered perioriented, and those that differ are considered varioriented, and may use the Split Attraction Model to describe their various attractions, including tertiary attractions.
Attraction, orientation, drive, and relationships are known to influence one another but are not intrinsically linked. For example, one that is androsexual, who is attracted to men, will typically engage in sexual relationships with men.[1] Cupio- is often used by individuals that pursue relations without attraction, whereas orchid- is often used by individuals that experience attraction but do not wish to pursue a relationship.
Individuals that do not experience any form of attraction may identify as anattractional.
| Orientation / Attraction | Description | Attraction |
|---|---|---|
| Romantic | Attraction to an emotional closeness and commitment with another. | Crush |
| Sexual | Attraction to performing or perceiving sexual acts with another. | Lust / Smush |
Common Tertiary
| Orientation / Attraction | Description | Attraction |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic | Attraction to how someone looks/appears. | Swish / Thete |
| Alterous | Attraction that sits between platonic and romantic attraction. | Mesh / Hush |
| Domestic | Attraction to performing domestic activities with another. | [There is no known word for this specific type of crush] |
| Familial | Attraction to emotional closeness and familial bonding with another. | Kinsh |
| Parental | Attraction to raising and long-term nurturing of a typically younger individual. | Prush |
| Platonic | Attraction to emotional closeness and sharing of interests with another. | Squish |
| Queerplatonic | Attraction to emotional closeness and commitment with another. | Squish/Plush/Squash |
| Sensual | Attraction to touching and physical interaction with another. | Lush |
| Social | Attraction to be closer to or more like another because of their personality, benefit, or expertise. | Rush |
Uncommon Tertiary
| Orientation / Attraction | Description | Attraction |
|---|---|---|
| Amical | Attraction to emotional closeness and sharing of interests with another but typically more intense than platonic attraction. | Shush / Thresh |
| Cedural | Attraction to being protected and cared for by a tutor or guardian. | Gush / Sush |
| Exteramo | Attraction that sits outside of platonic and romantic attraction. | Orush |
| Invidious | Attraction to another often resulting in envy to be similar or alike. | Erash |
| Mental | Attraction to forming an intellectual bond and sharing of knowledge with another. | Mish |
| Pseudosexual | Attraction to an individual relating to one's own sexual libido and physical desires. | Sesh |
| Tutelary | Attraction to take care, protect, and support another. | Mush |
| Unspecified | Attraction not otherwise specified by other forms of attraction. | Blush |
Resources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "ASEXUALITY, ATTRACTION, AND ROMANTIC ORIENTATION". LGBT Center, https://lgbtq.unc.edu/resources/exploring-identities/asexuality-attraction-and-romantic-orientation/#:~:text=Attraction%20%2D%20There%20are%20many%20different,with%20another%20person%20or%20persons.. Accessed on 17 Feb, 2023.
- ↑ "Libido". BetterHealth Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/libido. Accessed on 17 Feb, 2023.
- ↑ "Definition of 'relationship'". Collin's Dictionary, https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/relationship. Accessed on 17 Feb, 2023.
