Sexually dimorphic preference for altruism in the opposite sex according to recipient

Abstract

Sexual selection may affect human altruistic behaviour. Evolutionary psychology predicts that human mate preference reflects sexual selection. We investigated sex differences in preference for opposite-sex altruism according to recipient because the reasons for altruistic behaviour differ according to the relationship between actor and recipient. We employed the Self-Report Altruism Scale Distinguished by the Recipient, which was newly developed to evaluate altruism among Japanese undergraduates. We asked participants to evaluate preferences for each item based on the recipient of the altruistic behaviour (family members, friends or acquaintances, and strangers). Preference for opposite-sex altruism differed according to recipient, gender of the participant, and relationship type, and several significant interactions were observed among these factors. We suggest that whereas women use a potential partner's altruism towards strangers as a costly signal of their resource-holding potential when choosing a mate, they consider altruism towards family when they are in a long-term relationship to ensure that resources are not allocated to non-relatives.

Chinese undergraduates' preferences for altruistic traits in mate selection and personal advertisement: Evidence from Q‐sort technique

“…This is not odd in East Asia. In Japanese undergraduates of both sexes, opposite-sex altruistic behaviours towards family members (rather than towards friends and strangers) were much preferred in LT relationships (Oda et al, 2013). In this study, females have not shown the preferences for altruistic mates as postulated by evolutionary psychologists.…”

“…Although a few studies (e.g. Chang et al, 2011;Oda et al, 2013) with Asian participants partly support our findings, the conclusions should be treated with caution.…”

“…This is not odd in East Asia. In Japanese undergraduates of both sexes, opposite‐sex altruistic behaviours towards family members (rather than towards friends and strangers) were much preferred in LT relationships (Oda et al, ).…”

“…Contrary to what evolutionary psychologists have predicted, Chinese males were found to show preferences for kind and understanding traits more than Chinese females (Chang et al, ). In a Japanese sample, Oda, Shibata, Kiyonari, Takeda, and Matsumoto‐Oda () found that opposite‐sex altruism to family members was most desirable for both sexes, whereas altruism to friends was most desirable when selecting a ST mate. Japanese females preferred altruism towards family members more than that towards strangers for LT relationships, because altruism to strangers might result in resources being allocated to non‐relatives.…”

The synergistic effect of prosociality and physical attractiveness on mate desirability

“…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). 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). 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).…”