Altruistic people have more sex, say scientists

Risingbd Desk: According to a recent study, altruistic people are more successful in the bedroom, particularly if they are men.

Whether it`s hooking up or settling down, being more likely to help others makes people enjoy more sexual relations over their lifetimes.

In the paper published in the British Journal of Psychology, a research team led by Professor Steven Arnocky, psychologist at Nipissing University studied the links between people`s sexual history and how kind they are.

`This study is the first to show that altruism may translate into real mating success in Western populations, that altruists have more mates than non-altruists,` said Professor Pat Barclay, from the University of Guelph, who also worked on the study.

`It appears that altruism evolved in our species, in part, because it serves as a signal of other underlying desirable qualities, which helps individuals reproduce,` Professor Arnocky added.

The researchers interviewed about 800 people about their relationships and their tendency to help others.

This included giving to charity, donating blood, helping strangers cross the street, donating winnings and helping classmates, among other things.

After adjusting for age and personality, altruists were found to have greater success at dating and sex.

Altruism mattered more for men`s number of lifetime and casual sex partners, the researchers found.

`It`s a more effective signal for men than for women,` Professor Barclay said.

The study found while altruism is a desirable quality among both genders, it affects men`s lifetime dating and sex partners more than women`s.

The research supports previous studies on food sharing by hunters, which said men who hunt and share meat enjoy greater reproductive success.

Earlier research by Professor Barclay also found both men and women are more attracted to people who are altruistic.

`Given the importance we place on attractiveness, resources and intelligence, it would be worthwhile to explore how individuals `trade-off` altruism against other desirable qualities,` Professor Arnocky said.

Source: The Mail

Risingbd/Aug 18, 2016/Mukul