‘Symbiosexuality’ explained as new form of attraction is discovered

If you’ve ever found yourself attracted to a pre-existing couple’s energy, then you may be symbiosexual, say researchers from Seattle University.

Earlier this year, a study titled 'Symbiosexual Attraction: An Intergrated Mixed-Methods Study' was published in the revered Archives of Sexual Behaviour journal.

Spearheaded by Sally W. Johnston, a professor of anthropology and sociology, the April 2024 paper moved away from studying traditional one-on-one interactions to focus on a rarely explored perspective of human desire.

It saw individuals who admitted to being attracted to the dynamics within a pre-existing relationship - rather than the people themselves - being observed.

“As part of the polyamorous community, I have heard people talk openly about experiencing attraction to established couples,” explained study author Johnston.

“In a review of the literature, I was surprised to find that this phenomenon has been largely ignored in social and academic discourse.

Challengers stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist (Amazon MGM Studios)

“Paradoxically in a previous study I also found that sexual and romantic relationships between single people and couples (potentially motivated by symbiosexual attraction) receive a lot of negative attention in polyamorous communities,” she continued. “I wanted to learn more about this understudied attraction.”

What is symbiosexuality?

According to the Seattle University study, symbiosexual people are categorised as being attracted to the ‘energy, multidimensionality and power shared between people in relationships.’

Moreover, the research paper discovered that a large group of participants have felt a romantic and sexual attraction to a third person’s ‘synergy’.

It’s said symbiosexuals consider themselves to be extroverted and are less likely to experience jealousy compared to other sexualities.

Hayden, a study participant, claimed she found the ‘cohesiveness’ in couples attractive, as reported by The New York Post.

“You feed off their energy, their attraction to each other … there’s an interplay between the couple,” she said.

The evolving sexual identity has previously been explored on Gossip Girl (The CW)

Another participant, named Sage, admitted: “I also just want to be smack in the middle of that relationship.

“I would also like to be included in this relationship … I really think my ideal dynamic might be myself and a couple.”

While symbiosexuality remains relatively new academically, film and TV fans may already be well acquainted with the idea.

In Gossip Girl, Hilary Duff’s character Olivia Burke is attracted to Penn Badgley’s Dan Humphrey and his girlfriend Vanessa Abrams (played by Jessica Szohr).

There is also a three-way relationship exhibited on Netflix’s Tiger King as well as a three-way attraction in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist.

Following the initial study, Johnson plans to delve further into the relationship dynamic.

She wants to gain a better understanding of evolving sexual identity and to help ‘reduce stigma’ both monogamous and non-monogamous communities face.