Ever find yourself attracted to someone who just got back from working at a soup kitchen?
Dont worry, youre not alone. According to a team of German researchers, single men and women are more attracted to altruistic people.
The study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science looked at 12,775 single people and how often they help friends, relatives or neighbors. Those who helped people at least once a week were more likely to be in a relationship a year later than those who rarely helped others.
"Among single individuals, engaging in pro-social behavior in any given year was associated with increased odds of finding a partner and entering into a romantic relationship in the following year, the studys researchers wrote.
Pacific Standards Tom Jacob said this confirms that people not only find altruism attractive, but those who are altruistic also tend to have better luck finding a relationship. Relationships, Jacob noted, didnt lead to an increase in altruism, though.
A similar study in 2008 found that being altruistic makes you attractive. The study looked at 1,000 people and found that women placed altruism as the most important quality in a man.
Jacob suggests single people volunteer at a food bank. Take part in a neighborhood clean-up campaign. Or at least check to see if an elderly neighbor could use some assistance.
According to Time magazines Maia Szalavitz, humans have been altruistic since the beginning of humankind. In fact, studies found that altruism has helped humans survive because it allows people to help each other through tough situations.
Altruism was also a hot topic last year. Social media campaigns, including the #IceBucketChallenge and #BringBackOurGirls, have inspired millions of Americans to donate their time to selfless causes.
Dont worry, youre not alone. According to a team of German researchers, single men and women are more attracted to altruistic people.
The study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science looked at 12,775 single people and how often they help friends, relatives or neighbors. Those who helped people at least once a week were more likely to be in a relationship a year later than those who rarely helped others.
"Among single individuals, engaging in pro-social behavior in any given year was associated with increased odds of finding a partner and entering into a romantic relationship in the following year, the studys researchers wrote.
Pacific Standards Tom Jacob said this confirms that people not only find altruism attractive, but those who are altruistic also tend to have better luck finding a relationship. Relationships, Jacob noted, didnt lead to an increase in altruism, though.
A similar study in 2008 found that being altruistic makes you attractive. The study looked at 1,000 people and found that women placed altruism as the most important quality in a man.
Jacob suggests single people volunteer at a food bank. Take part in a neighborhood clean-up campaign. Or at least check to see if an elderly neighbor could use some assistance.
According to Time magazines Maia Szalavitz, humans have been altruistic since the beginning of humankind. In fact, studies found that altruism has helped humans survive because it allows people to help each other through tough situations.
Altruism was also a hot topic last year. Social media campaigns, including the #IceBucketChallenge and #BringBackOurGirls, have inspired millions of Americans to donate their time to selfless causes.
