A recent study from Seattle University has introduced a new concept in sexuality called “symbiosexuality,” as detailed in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. This term describes a unique form of sexual attraction characterized by an individual’s connection to the energy and dynamic between two people in a relationship. In essence, a symbiosexual person is drawn to the relationship’s synergy rather than to either partner individually.
Dr. Sally Johnston, an adjunct professor of anthropology and sociology who led the study, suggests that our understanding of human attraction may be too narrow. “We need to rethink human attraction and desire beyond just one-to-one experiences,” she stated.
According to the study, symbiosexual individuals are attracted to the shared energy and emotional connection of a couple’s relationship. They find themselves enamored with the love and partnership between two people and desire to be part of that dynamic. This form of attraction is seen as a desire for the “whole” of the relationship, which can be described as “greater than the sum of its parts.”
Symbiosexuals often face stigma in both monogamous and non-monogamous communities. The term “unicorn” is sometimes used to describe them in literature, but it carries a negative connotation in non-monogamous contexts, where it refers to individuals who engage sexually with a couple without participating in other aspects of the relationship.
Dr. Johnston noted that despite the sexual benefits, individuals who identify as symbiosexual often experience objectification and exclusion. However, she emphasized that there is a diverse group of people who experience this form of attraction. In her study, 145 participants reported feeling attracted to couples rather than individuals, with many describing themselves as extroverted and seeking high levels of intimacy, care, and attention, while being less prone to jealousy. Some participants who identify as queer and sexually open were primarily attracted to queer and non-heterosexual couples.
Dr. Johnston plans to further explore the implications of symbiosexuality on mental health and relationship satisfaction, aiming to broaden public understanding and reduce stigma. “I hope this research will help diminish stigma in both monogamous and non-monogamous communities and expand our conceptualizations of desire in sexuality studies,” she concluded.
