Split Attraction Model

Often abbreviated to SAM, the Split Attraction Model is a means of further defining and specifying one’s overall orientation by splitting their attraction into two types, typically sexual and romantic (though other forms of attraction do exist), and assigning a distinct orientation to each one, if applicable.

Typically, one's attraction types align, so, for example, a heterosexual person's romantic attraction would be assumed to be hetero as well. For some, this is not the case. These people are called varioriented and are often (but not always) part of the aro/ace spectrum. The SAM can be very useful for them to understand their identity.

Some examples of SAM orientations include:
1. asexual biromantic (no sexual attraction to any gender / romantic attraction to more than one gender)
2. heterosexual homoromantic (sexual attraction to the opposite binary gender / romantic attraction to the same gender)
3. pansexual aromantic (sexual attraction to any or all genders / no romantic attraction to any gender)