The sexual behavioral system evolved to motivate reproductive acts by arousing sexual desire. Building on the idea that this system has also been “exploited” by evolutionary processes to promote enduring bonds between romantic partners, the present article introduces an integrative model that delineates the functional significance of sexual desire in relationship formation and maintenance. This model explains why individuals’ sexual reaction to their partner is context-dependent, clarifying how changes in the nature of interdependence over the course of relationships alter the ways in which specific predictors of sexual desire tend to promote (or inhibit) desire and thereby affect relationship depth and stability. The model postulates that although desire influences the development of attachment bonds, the contribution that it makes varies over the course of relationships. The model also provides new insight regarding fundamental but unresolved issues in human sexuality, such as the vulnerability of sexual desire and the desire-intimacy paradox.

性行为系统通过激发性欲而进化为促进生殖行为。在这个系统还被进化过程“利用”以促进浪漫伴侣之间持久的联系这一观念的基础上，本文介绍了一个综合模型，该模型描述了性欲在关系形成和维持中的功能意义。该模型解释了为什么个人对其伴侣的性反应取决于上下文，并阐明了在关系过程中相互依存性质的变化如何改变性欲的特定预测因子趋向于促进（或抑制）性欲从而影响的方式。关系的深度和稳定性。该模型假设，尽管欲望会影响依恋键的发展，在整个关系过程中，它所做的贡献各不相同。该模型还提供了有关人类性基本但未解决问题的新见解，例如性欲的脆弱性和欲望-亲密性悖论。