Selflessness is sexy: reported helping behaviour increases desirability of men and women as long-term sexual partners.

Abstract in brief

• Selflessness or helping behavior increases the attractiveness of both men and women as long-term partners, and it also makes men more appealing for short-term relationships, though to a lesser degree.
• The study suggests that altruism might be evolutionarily advantageous because it signals good genes or the likelihood of providing benefits like parental care, which can enhance an individual's overall reproductive success.
• This research connects ideas from social evolution and sexual selection, indicating that seemingly costly behaviors like helping can actually offer direct fitness benefits by making individuals more attractive to potential mates.]