Love and Attraction: Factors Influencing Attraction and Relationships

This report delves into the multifaceted process of love and attraction, examining it from a psychological perspective. It explores the dynamics of attraction, considering factors such as physical attractiveness, proximity, similarity, and reciprocity, as well as the influence of anxiety on sexual attraction, as demonstrated in the Dutton & Aron (1974) study. The report distinguishes between passionate and compassionate love, highlighting the roles of emotional and physical attachment. It also discusses the impact of past experiences, intimacy, and commitment on the longevity and quality of relationships. Furthermore, the report references research on romantic love and sexual desire, including the role of oxytocin, and draws on findings from speed-dating studies to analyze real-life attraction dynamics. The report synthesizes these diverse perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of how love and attraction function in human relationships, referencing key studies by Gonzaga, Turner, Keltner, Campos, Altemus (2006), Aron & Aron (2014), and Wilson (2014).

Running Head: LOVE
LOVE

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Process of love and attraction
Attraction considers two factors in their real-life setting and speed dating. It is
determined as a dynamic relationship between two individuals. An individual who influences
others by their personality for physical intimacy called as the attraction. Attraction could be
positive as well as negative aspect. Sensitive people could confront form different problems
when it comes to addressing and keeping a healthy relationship. An individual craves
intimacy but at the same time, they feel overwhelmed by their partners (Dutton & Aron,
1974).
At the same time, it is also evaluated that the HSPs demonstrates the there are also
negative kinds of consumers such as narcissists, who sense our compassion, empathy, and
sense for intimacy and practice it to fuel its own desires. It is also found that cursed with an
inability to address someone who is actually attached to others (Dutton & Aron, 1974). An
individual could address someone who is very attractive smart, talented, passionate, and
someone that inspires others. The relationship of an individual relies on care and admiration.
Thus, it is examined that the attraction could happen only for emotions or physical intimation
that could not be long-lasting. An attraction is always stay for a very short period (Gonzaga,
Turner, Keltner, D., Campos, & Altemus, 2006).
Apart from this, it is found that there are different kinds of attraction that might be
confronted by individuals like logic, emotional, status, and healthy. In the lack of status as
well as health an attraction could not be possible for an individual. Moreover, physical
attractiveness, proximity, similarity, and reciprocity could influence whom individual
arrested too (Dutton & Aron, 1974).
Apart from that, it is found that love is a process that considers mainly tow elements like the
emotional and physical attachment of relationship with an individual. Love could negatively

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be influenced by the experience of past lovers, physical intimacy, and cheating (Aron &
Aron, 2014).
It is found that love can be lost if physical intimacy becomes another chore instead of
observing it as a passion-filled between two individuals. In love, partners will also learn over
the time the actual needs of relationship with respect to thrive and conduct their behavior
accordingly. It could a positive impact on their relationship. The love could be generally two
kinds of passionate love and compassionate love (Gonzaga, Turner, Keltner, D., Campos, &
Altemus, 2006). The passionate love determines as the absorption of one individual with
others. It contains sexual desire, tenderness, and intense emotion in making a relationship
with others. Apart from this, it is found that warmth, trust, and tolerance for partners are
compassionate love. It could also require sometimes intimacy and commitment to keep their
relationship (Wilson, 2014). The love could also be a close sharing aspect of relationships
that could build a strong transparent liaison between partners. Thus, it is found that love relies
on the long-term relationship as it allows to leave with their partner for the very long term
while attraction is vice-versa (Gonzaga, Turner, Keltner, D., Campos, & Altemus, 2006).

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References
Aron, A., & Aron, E. N. (2014). Love and sexuality. In Sexuality in close relationships (pp.
41-64). Psychology Press.
Dutton, D. G., & Aron, A. P. (1974). Some evidence for heightened sexual attraction under
conditions of high anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4), 510.
Gonzaga, G. C., Turner, R. A., Keltner, D., Campos, B., & Altemus, M. (2006). Romantic
love and sexual desire in close relationships. Emotion, 6(2), 163.
Wilson, G. D. (2014). Love and Instinct (Routledge Revivals). Routledge.