Selflessness is sexy: reported helping behaviour increases desirability of men and women as long-term sexual partners.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite its short-term costs, behaviour that appears altruistic can increase an individual's inclusive fitness by earning direct (selfish) and/or indirect (kin-selected) benefits. An evolved preference for other-regarding or helping behaviour in potential mates has been proposed as an additional mechanism by which these behaviours can yield direct fitness benefits in humans.

Results

We asked 32 heterosexual women and 35 heterosexual men to rate the attractiveness of members of the opposite sex in the presence and the absence of information about helping behaviours. Reports of helping behaviour were associated with a significant increase in the attractiveness of both men and women as potential long-term sexual partners. Altruism also increased the attractiveness of

SUBMITTER: Moore D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3851331 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature