Altruism predicts mating success in humans

Abstract

In order for non-kin altruism to evolve, altruists must receive fitness benefits for their actions that outweigh the costs. Several researchers have suggested that altruism is a costly signal of desirable qualities, such that it could have evolved by sexual selection. In two studies, we show that altruism is broadly linked with mating success. In Study 1, participants who scored higher on a self-report altruism measure reported they were more desirable to the opposite sex, as well as reported having more sex partners, more casual sex partners, and having sex more often within relationships. Sex moderated some of these relationships, such that altruism mattered more for men's number of lifetime and casual sex partners. In Study 2, participants who were willing to donate potential monetary winnings (in a modified dictator dilemma) reported having more lifetime sex partners, more casual sex partners, and more sex partners over the past year. Men who were willing to donate also reported having more lifetime dating partners. Furthermore, these patterns persisted, even when controlling for narcissism, Big Five personality traits, and socially desirable responding. These results suggest that altruists have higher mating success than non-altruists and support the hypothesis that altruism is a sexually selected costly signal of difficult-to-observe qualities.

Happy to Help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor

“…More pride in one's achievements (Sznycer et al, 2017)? More sexual partners (Arnocky, Piché, Albert, Ouellette, & Barclay, 2016)? More committed relationships (Kogan et al, 2010)?…”

The synergistic effect of prosociality and physical attractiveness on mate desirability

“…Subsequently, there is now a large and growing body of empirical evidence that supports this theory. Prosociality is also positively linked to mating success (Arnocky, Pich e, Albert, Ouellette, & Barclay, 2016) and the likelihood of entering a relationship (Stavrova & Ehlebracht, 2015) as well as there being evidence of assortative mating for prosociality among partners (Tognetti, Berticat, Raymond, & Faurie, 2014). Prosociality is also positively linked to mating success (Arnocky, Pich e, Albert, Ouellette, & Barclay, 2016) and the likelihood of entering a relationship (Stavrova & Ehlebracht, 2015) as well as there being evidence of assortative mating for prosociality among partners (Tognetti, Berticat, Raymond, & Faurie, 2014).…”

“…For instance, studies have found that individuals increase their prosocial behaviour in mating scenarios, such as when being observed by potential mates (Bhogal, Galbraith, & Manktelow, 2016b;Farrelly, Lazarus, & Roberts, 2007;Iredale, Vugt, & Dunbar, 2008;Tognetti, Berticat, Raymond, & Faurie, 2012;Tognetti, Dubois, Faurie, & Willinger, 2016) and also when competing with others (Raihani & Smith, 2015;Tognetti et al, 2016). Prosociality is also positively linked to mating success (Arnocky, Pich e, Albert, Ouellette, & Barclay, 2016) and the likelihood of entering a relationship (Stavrova & Ehlebracht, 2015) as well as there being evidence of assortative mating for prosociality among partners (Tognetti, Berticat, Raymond, & Faurie, 2014). Furthermore, it has also been shown that prosocial individuals are consistently considered more desirable than their non-prosocial counterparts (Barclay, 2010;Farrelly, 2011Farrelly, , 2013Guo, Feng, & Wang, 2015;Moore et al, 2013;Oda, Okuda, Takeda, & Hiraishi, 2014;Oda, Shibata, Kiyonari, Takeda, & Matsumoto-Oda, 2013;Phillips, Barnard, Ferguson, & Reader, 2008).…”

Sex and The Perceived Effectiveness of Short-term Mate Poaching Acts in College Students

“…These behaviors may be viewed as equally effective by both sexes because they convey a desire to: establish an emotional connection; to be polite; or to be altruistic. This may be because both men and women agree that actions that show emotional commitment, emotional connection, and emotional accessibility are effective love acts (Wade, et al, 2009), and because altruism predicts mating success in humans (Arnocky, Piché, Albert, Ouellette, & Barclay, 2016;Phillips, Ferguson, & Fruhling, 2010).…”

“…"Complimenting her. " These acts may have been perceived as most effective overall because they suggest emotional commitment, and altruism and women find altruistic males appealing (Arnocky et al, 2016;Phillips et al, 2010).…”