Definition
Romantic attraction is a complex and multifaceted construct. It refers to positive reactions toward a potential romantic partner, usually at initial or early-stage encounters in which no close relationship has been established yet. Positive reactions toward a potential partner may include positive thoughts and beliefs (cognitive component), positive feelings and emotions (affective component), a desire to approach the other (motivational component), and also behavioral reactions, such as standing or sitting closer (behavioral component; Wurst and Back 2018). As romantic attraction may motivate further contact with a potential partner, it can constitute a basis on which new romantic relationships form. Thus, choices such as expressing interest in seeing a potential partner again in dating contexts like speed or online dating can be viewed as indicators of romantic interest....
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Gerlach, T.M., Reinhard, S.K. (2018). Personality and Romantic Attraction. In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_717-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_717-2
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Personality and Romantic Attraction- Published:
- 26 March 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_717-2
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- 12 February 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_717-1