Just about every guy has a hot female friend he secretly harbours the desire to sleep with. Interestingly, a new study has revealed that the female in question is probably entirely aware of the so-called 'secret' and more than likely feels a shred of attraction in return.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire examined the opposite-sex friendships of more than 400 adults aged 18-52 and found that in most cases, a serious attraction was present.
Even if the relationship is considered completely platonic, our natural instincts lead us to form friendships with people we’re attracted to.
"Attraction in friendship is happening, and it's persistent," says lead author April Bleske-Rechek, Associate Professor of Psychology. "I'd venture to say, based on all our data, that in the majority of opposite-sex friendships there’s at least a low level of attraction."
No real surprises there. Surely it's smart for men to keep a couple of platonic babes close by — they may be able to set you up with their equally gorgeous friends, and might even be a romantic possibility themselves if chemistry continues to flourish.
According to Bleske-Rechek, that's entirely where the problem lies, especially if we're already attached.
Her team of researchers discovered that couples who have attractive opposite-sex friends are less satisfied with their romantic relationships. Through every demographic, the results proved that if one party wasn’t entirely happy with their partner, they tended to keep more attractive friends of the other sex.
So, are people doing this as an insurance policy for an inevitable break-up, or is it to act as an ego boost that they're not getting at home?
Possibly both, but Bleske-Rechek believes that people aren't going to dismiss their friends, even if they know deep down there's an attraction, one-sided or not.
"Sexual attraction came up so frequently," Bleske-Rechek says, "but people seem willing to take the bad with the good because they find fulfillment in these friendships."
It all sounds reasonable, but if your partner has a large collection of fine looking men that are "just friends", you probably have reason to be at least a little concerned. She's likely got a few options on raincheck. You best do the same.
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