Social attraction is an emotional form of attraction involving the desire to form a social relationship with another person. This type of attraction is broad and can encompass many forms of social interaction, from a simple wish to converse with someone to the aspiration to share a life together through marriage. Definitions of social attraction vary widely; some describe it as the desire to be close to or emulate someone due to their perceived talents or wisdom, while others see it as seeking interaction that is non-romantic and non-sexual, such as friendships or mentorships. It may also be defined as a need for social connection that is not reliant on the desire for friendship or attraction to someone’s social status, wealth, or fame.
Alex feels strong social attraction toward a group of friends they recently met at a community event. They’re drawn to this group because they all share similar interests and enjoy attending the same types of social gatherings. Alex loves the excitement of being with them, chatting over coffee, and attending events together. One day, the group plans a weekend outing to a local festival. Alex feels a strong urge to join, motivated by the enjoyment of being with people who share their love of music and community activities. Social attraction for Alex means finding happiness in being part of a group, connecting over shared interests and activities rather than deeper emotional bonds. This type of attraction allows Alex to enjoy casual friendships and companionship without the need for more intensive, one-on-one connections. The group’s shared moments of fun and togetherness bring Alex a sense of community, where they feel seen and accepted in a lighthearted, engaging way. Social attraction brings Alex joy by offering a low-pressure, enjoyable social life that centers on shared experiences and a sense of belonging.
Piotr Sztompka highlights social behaviors as actions that involve engaging with others and prompting reciprocal responses. In this context, social attraction often revolves around forming cooperative and interdependent relationships. It can sometimes be synonymous with interpersonal attraction, which in social psychology refers to positive attitudes toward a person, characterized by behavioral tendencies to approach, cognitive beliefs, and positive feelings about them.
People’s patterns of social attraction toward different genders may shape their social orientation, commonly expressed with terms like “heterosocial” or “bisocial.” Those who frequently experience social attraction are called allosocial, while individuals who seldom do might identify as asocial or on the asocial spectrum. A strong social desire for someone is sometimes referred to as a “rush.”
Sources
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- system-lgbt. “Friendship is empiricist, it means friendships are social constructions,” Tumblr, October 17, 2018. Archived January 27, 2022. Link
- Sztompka, Piotr.Socjologia, Znak, 2002. ISBN 83-240-0218-9, p. 107.Merriam-Webster. “Social,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.Link
Source
https://new.lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/social_attraction_and_orientation