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People seek a partner that is "responsive to their needs" and would arouse their sexual interest, according to a new study.

According to the study, a responsive person is the one that is supportive of another's needs and goals.

"Sexual desire thrives on rising intimacy and being responsive is one of the best ways to instill this elusive sensation over time," lead researcher Gurit Birnbaum explained in the press release. "Our findings show that this does not necessarily hold true in an initial encounter, because a responsive potential partner may convey opposite meanings to different people."

The study explains why men find responsive women sexually attractive, however it doesn't say much about the mechanism that underlies women's desire for new acquaintanceships.

The study findings also imply that whether a responsive partner will be seen as sexually desirable or not depends on the context and meaning assigned to responsiveness.

"We still do not know why women are less sexually attracted to responsive strangers; it may not necessarily have to do with 'being nice.' Women may perceive a responsive stranger as less desirable for different reasons," Prof. Birnbaum cautioned. "Women may perceive this person as inappropriately nice and manipulative (i.e., trying to obtain sexual favors) or eager to please, perhaps even as desperate, and therefore less sexually appealing. Alternatively, women may perceive a responsive man as vulnerable and less dominant. Regardless of the reasons, perhaps men should slow down if their goal is to instill sexual desire."

The study has been published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.