Attraction is an interesting concept. Usually we think of attraction as a binary construct: we're attracted to someone or we're not. However it's a lot more complicated when you peel back the layers.
First, we need to understand attraction outside of how society simply defines attraction: in specific, attraction is not only reserved for those we are romantically or physically attracted to. We need to be a bit pedantic with this, because otherwise we'd simplify attraction into this binary outcome when it's much more convoluted.
Human attraction is quite complex. I'm attracted to many people, including my guy friends or girl friends. This doesn't mean I'm ravenously in love with them, but moreso I accept the different forms of attraction that pull me towards them.
There are six forms of attraction: physical, romantic, emotional, intellectual, sexual and sensual.
Physical attraction is likely the most common form of attraction we think of when we hear the word 'attraction'. Physical attraction is purely finding something or someone attractive based on it's aesthetic and beauty. This does not necessarily mean you're sensually or sexually attracted - simply understanding the beauty in the physical form.
Romantic attraction is the desire to pursue romantic experiences with someone else. This is often the backbone of many relationships, however failing to understand what creates romantic attraction can ultimately lead to inconsistent partnerships.
Emotional attraction is the desire to get to know someone and connect with their personality, while intellectual attraction is attraction based on someone's intellect and how they think. These are the main criteria on how we select friends.
Sexual attraction is the desire for sex, while sensual attraction is the desire for physical touch without sexual connotation, like cuddling or holding hands. Both are important but satisfy completely different needs.
Being attracted in one way to someone doesn't mean it demands another form of attraction. They can live in silos. However, I've found that often times, the priority of attraction for different people causes an invisible link between the types of attraction. For example, one person may not be sexually attracted to someone unless they're physically attracted to them first. How each form of attraction links (or doesn't) to one another varies person to person.
I was thinking of this because I was questioning my own relationships. For me emotional and physical attraction are necessary before romantic attraction can form. The hardest form of attraction for me to feel towards someone else is sensual attraction. Often, this requires both romantic attraction and sexual attraction.
Think of your web of attraction and see how one form of attraction may lean into another. What are your patterns? Where in your life do you think your neural pathway linked these together? Ultimately all six are important, however you may prioritize differently than someone else.