Brasília, Brazil

What do most people look for in other individuals when hunting for a romantic partner? You might say physical attractiveness, wealth or socioeconomic status. However, a recent study has dismissed this widely-held notion. As per the study, conducted in Brazil and published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, most people prioritise intelligence and kindness as the most sought-after traits when choosing a partner.

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The findings were consistent regardless of sexual orientation. 

“Choosing a romantic partner is a very ordinary, but also extremely intriguing process,” said study author Joao Francisco Goes Braga Takayanagi of the Institute of Psychology at the University of Sao Paulo.

“We may know immediately that we are attracted to someone, but we might not know exactly why we are attracted to them, or even if that attraction is any proof that they will be a good match for us. I am fascinated by relationship science because it helps us understand something that is universal, but also quite mysterious and important to all of us, ” Joao Francisco added.

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Sample size

 The study included 778 participants, aged between 18 and 64. The group comprised people of different sexual orientations: heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women.

The participants were asked to create their ideal partner based on a set of traits: Intelligence, kindness, physical attractiveness, health, and socioeconomic status.

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All of the participants were also given three different budget scenarios: low, medium, and high, to find out how people’s priorities change with the change in the availability of resources.

Results

Intelligence and kindness emerged as the most desired traits by people of all age groups, regardless of their sexual orientation.

However, with special emphasis placed on sexual orientation, some other traits also emerged as most desired. For example, Heterosexual men said physical attractiveness played a major role when choosing partners.

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Conversely, individuals attracted to men (including heterosexual women, homosexual men, and bisexual individuals) showed a higher preference for socioeconomic status.

“Also, social status seems to be especially important for men’s appeal, since both heterosexual women and gay men valued this trait more in relation to other groups. Still, if you want to attract more potential partners, working on your brains and personality seems to be your best bet,” Takayanagi was quoted as saying by PsyPost.

(With inputs from agencies)