Split Attraction Model

The Split Attraction Model, often abbreviated as SAM, is a concept used to distinguish between different forms of attraction. It became especially known within asexual and aromantic communities and highlights that sexual, romantic, sensual, aesthetic, or platonic attraction can be experienced separately.

For many people, sexual and romantic orientation largely align, for example when someone is both sexually and romantically attracted to the same genders. However, this is not true for everyone. A person may be homosexual and biromantic, asexual and heteroromantic, or bisexual and aromantic, for instance.

The model can help people describe their own experiences more precisely and communicate them to others. It is not a mandatory system, and not everyone finds these distinctions useful or necessary. What matters is that people can choose the terms that best describe their attraction, relationships, and boundaries.