American researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found a connection between a person’s sense of purpose and his attractiveness in the eyes of potential partners for intimate relationships. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology (IJAPP).
“We found that, in general, people with larger goals were rated as more romantically attractive,” said Isabella D’Otton, an assistant professor of psychology and co-author of the paper.
As part of the experiment, scientists created nine profiles on dating services. Four of them described different life goals: helping others (prosocial), finding a partner and starting a family (relational), achieving material wealth (financial), and creating something new and original (creative). The remaining five profiles did not specify any goals for the fictional personalities they represented.
It turns out that having goals makes people more attractive to those who share the same values. For example, creative people were more attracted to those who were also creative. However, the category in which this effect was weakest was financial values.
“If you look at all the profiles in general, you will see that people do not like those who pursue wealth,” emphasized Isabella D’Otton.
According to scientists, this discovery allows us to reconsider strategies for finding the ideal romantic relationship. Psychologists added that you are more likely to meet a special person on your way to your own goal than trying to adapt to a partner who does not share your values.
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