Although chemistry is a well-known, sought-after interpersonal phenomenon, it has remained relatively unexplored in the psychological literature. The purpose of this article is to begin articulating a theoretically grounded and precise definition of interpersonal chemistry. To that end, we propose a conceptual model of interpersonal chemistry centered around the notion that when two or more individuals experience chemistry with one another, they experience their interaction as something more than the sum of their separate contributions. Our model stipulates that chemistry encompasses both behavior (i.e., what chemistry “looks like”) and its perception (i.e., what it “feels like”). The behavior involves interaction sequences in which synchronicity is high and in which people’s goals are expressed and responded to in supportive and encouraging ways. The perception of chemistry includes cognitive (i.e., perception of shared identity), affective (i.e., positive affect and attraction), and behavioral (i.e., perceived goal-relevant coordination) components. We review existing research on chemistry as well as supporting evidence from relevant topics (e.g., attraction, similarity, perceived partner responsiveness, synchrony) that inform and support this model. We hope that this conceptual model stimulates research to identify the circumstances in which chemistry arises and the processes by which it affects individuals, their interactions, and their relationships.

尽管化学是一种众所周知的、广受欢迎的人际交往现象，但它在心理学文献中仍然相对未被探索。本文的目的是开始阐明人际化学的理论基础和精确定义。为此，我们提出了一种人际化学的概念模型，其中心思想是，当两个或多个人彼此体验化学时，他们体验到的互动不仅仅是他们各自贡献的总和。我们的模型规定化学包括行为（即，化学“看起来”如何）和它的感知（即，它“感觉如何”）。这种行为涉及互动序列，其中同步性很高，人们的目标以支持和鼓励的方式表达和回应。化学感知包括认知（即对共同身份的感知）、情感（即积极的情感和吸引力）和行为（即感知的目标相关协调）成分。我们回顾了现有的化学研究以及来自相关主题的支持证据（例如，吸引力、相似性、感知的合作伙伴反应性、同步性），这些研究为该模型提供了信息和支持。我们希望这个概念模型能够激发研究，以确定化学产生的环境以及它影响个人、他们的相互作用和他们的关系的过程。我们回顾了现有的化学研究以及来自相关主题的支持证据（例如，吸引力、相似性、感知的合作伙伴反应性、同步性），这些研究为该模型提供了信息和支持。我们希望这个概念模型能够激发研究，以确定化学产生的环境以及它影响个人、他们的相互作用和他们的关系的过程。我们回顾了现有的化学研究以及来自相关主题的支持证据（例如，吸引力、相似性、感知的合作伙伴反应性、同步性），这些研究为该模型提供了信息和支持。我们希望这个概念模型能够激发研究，以确定化学产生的环境以及它影响个人、他们的相互作用和他们的关系的过程。