Symbio-sexuality: A New Approach To Advancing Compersion?

Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

The article “Symbiosexuality: New Study Validates Attraction to Established Couples as a Real Phenomenon” by Eric W. Dolan presents the findings of a study conducted by Sally W. Johnston, which explores a concept referred to as “symbiosexuality.”

The study proposes that some folks experience attraction not just to individuals, but to the dynamic energy between people in a relationship.

While the research claims to break new ground in understanding human desire, a closer examination reveals several weaknesses in its conceptual framework, methodology, and broader implications.

Repackaging Old Ideas as New

The most glaring issue with Johnston’s study is its attempt to frame the concept of "symbiosexuality" as some sort of novel discovery.

The idea that people can be attracted to the relational dynamics within a couple is not new.

The study fails to engage adequately with existing literature on similar phenomena, such as "compersion"—a term well-known in polyamorous communities, which describes the joy one might feel seeing a partner engage in intimate relations with someone else.

The research thus comes across as an attempt to rebrand established concepts under a new label, rather than offering genuinely new insights.

The term "symbiosexuality" itself feels forced, adding an unnecessary layer of jargon to the discourse around attraction and desire. The study might have benefited from a more integrated approach, examining how this purported attraction overlaps with or diverges from existing constructs in the study of sexuality and relationships.

Methodological Shortcomings

Johnston’s study also suffers from several methodological issues that undermine the validity of its findings.

The primary source of data, The Pleasure Study, was not originally designed to explore symbiosexuality specifically, which raises questions about the relevance and focus of the questions used.

While the study boasts a sample of 373 participants, only 145 reported experiencing attraction to couples, and just 34 provided detailed interviews.

Gimme a break. This small subset of participants is clearly insufficient to draw broad conclusions, especially when the sample is already biased towards queer and non-monogamous folks.

The reliance on self-reported data further complicates the study’s credibility.

Participants’ descriptions of their experiences are subjective and may be influenced by various biases, including the desire to fit into emerging cultural narratives around non-monogamy and sexual fluidity.

The study does not appear to employ any triangulation methods to verify these self-reports, which weakens the robustness of its findings. Geez.. sloppy is as sloppy does.

Inconclusive and Speculative Findings

Another critical flaw in the study is the speculative nature of its conclusions.

While Johnston identifies a phenomenon of attraction to couples, the study fails to demonstrate that this is a distinct form of sexual attraction, separate from existing constructs.

The article admits that participants were not presented with the label "symbiosexuality" during the study, which casts doubt on whether this term accurately captures their experiences.

This admission suggests that the study’s findings may be more about imposing a new label on a set of diverse and poorly understood experiences than about uncovering a genuinely new phenomenon.

Furthermore, the study’s implications are vague and lack practical application.

Johnston speculates about potential links between symbiosexuality and psychological outcomes like relationship satisfaction and mental health, but these connections are not empirically tested. The call for more research is valid, and I can readily agree, but the current study does little to provide a solid foundation for future investigations.

Misrepresentation of Diversity and Inclusion

The study also overstates its claims regarding the diversity of participants.

While it notes the variety in participants' age, race, ethnicity, and social class, the sample remains heavily skewed towards queer and non-monogamous communities.

This bias is not sufficiently acknowledged in the study's conclusions, leading to an overgeneralization of the findings. The assertion that symbiosexuality is experienced by a "diverse population" is kinda misleading, as it overlooks the cultural and social contexts that might influence the prevalence of such attractions in different groups.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, Johnston’s study on symbiosexuality falls short of its promise to introduce a new perspective on human attraction. It’s more of a politically correct recon mission. Research grappling with new ideas should be more careful, frankly.

The concept appears to be a repackaging of existing ideas rather than a true groundbreaking discovery.

Methodological weaknesses, speculative conclusions, and an overstatement of the study's diversity further undermine its contribution to the field.

Future research in this area should focus on integrating these findings with existing literature and employing more rigorous methodologies to ensure that any new concepts are genuinely novel and well-supported by empirical evidence.

Here’s what I think is going on. The compersion research is problematic. The forces opposed to the mono-normative are simply making a different play to move the poly ball down the field of social acceptability. Let’s call it out, with respect, and an openness to dialogue.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

RESEARCH:

Dolan, E. W. (2024, August 28). Symbiosexuality: New Study Validates Attraction to Established Couples as a Real Phenomenon. PsyPost. Retrieved on 8/28/24.

REFERENCES:

Johnston, S.W. Symbiosexual Attraction: An Integrated Mixed-Methods Study. Arch Sex Behav 53, 1713–1730 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02857-x