Physical vs Sexual

[benjabubble]

Alright, I have heard (read really) people talking about "physical attraction" and "sexual attraction" but I have no idea what they mean! In my mind they seem pretty much the same. Can someone please explain the difference to me?

PS: Sorry if this is in the wrong place...it just seemed the best place for it to me.

[clr9823]

Yes, physical and sexual attraction are the same thing. EMOTIONAL and PHYSICAL attraction are two different things.

[benjabubble]

Then why do people keep using all three terms? Cause I've seen some posts where people mention physical, sexual, and emotional attraction.

[clr9823]

Then why do people keep using all three terms? Cause I've seen some posts where people mention physical, sexual, and emotional attraction.

I really do think there is no difference. Maybe people use physical and sexual in the same thread to avoid sounding repetitive?

I suppose you could draw a slight difference saying physical attraction is being attracted to someone's looks, while being sexually attracted is being attracted in a sexual manner. But on this site I'd say generally that physical attraction and sexual attraction are similar.

Hope that helps :confused:

[The Joker]

It's like saying decent instead of good.

It's just to spice up the language.

[clr9823]

It's like saying decent instead of good.

It's just to spice up the language.

Thanks for the clarification, I was a bit unsure but I thought it was just that. Otherwise I'd have read a whole bunch of questions wrong!:lol:

[mosaic.]

I believe that physical and sexual attraction are the same thing.

However, people will argue that you can be physically attracted (admiring one's looks), without wanting them sexually.

[MoveAlong]

I believe that physical and sexual attraction are the same thing.

Yes.

Also, I don't think people say "physical, sexual, and emotional", I think people say "sexual, emotional, and mental". But then again I'm confused by the difference between emotional and mental. Maybe mental is their personality and emotional is caring for them?? Either way, I don't believe in the rule "you must be physically AND emotionally attracted to the same sex to be gay". I mean just watch Will and Grace. Will loves Grace, and really really cares for her, but he just can't get sexual with her because she's a girl...so yeah.

[benjabubble]

mosaic, that would just be appreciative of someone's physique though, it wouldn't be an actual attraction.

[mosaic.]

I agree, MountainChild.

[Θάνατος]

I believe that physical and sexual attraction are the same thing.

However, people will argue that you can be physically attracted (admiring one's looks), without wanting them sexually.

I agree.

You can be physically attracted to a person and not sexually attracted.

Here are some definitions:

Sexual attraction or sex appeal refers to a person's ability to attract in a sexual or erotic manner the interest of another person.

Physical attractiveness is the perception of the physical traits of an individual human person as aesthetically pleasing or beautiful, and can include various implications, such as sexual attractiveness and physique. What is considered physically attractive is dependent on universal perceptions common to all human cultures, and on cultural and social aspects, as well as individual subjective preferences.

So sexual is dependent on physical but physical is not dependent on sexual.

I hope this helps answer your questions.

[jake_11]

Lol, he pretty much covered it =P

[YourFriend]

It is pretty much the same.

[benjabubble]

Thanks guys.