Buzz
Our attraction to others is influenced by numerous factors, but a recent study suggests there might be an evolutionary link between risk-taking and attractiveness. It’s all about choosing the right kind of risk.
This post is part of our Evil Week series at Mytour, where we delve into the darker aspects of productivity. By understanding evil, we can learn how to overcome it and turn our sinister tendencies into positive forces. Curious for more? Visit our evil week tag page.
When comparing the risks faced by our ancestors to those we encounter in modern times, there’s a clear distinction. The majority of risks faced by our distant ancestors were physical in nature. A study led by John M. Pretaitis at the University of Alaska Anchorage, published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, examined a range of modern-day risks and revealed two key findings:
Physical risks, or 'Hunter-Gatherer (HG)' risks, were perceived as attractive behaviors in both males and females.
Modern risks, such as cheating on a test, not buckling up, or opening a potentially dangerous attachment, were seen as unattractive behaviors in both genders.
For males, physical risks were rated as more attractive than for females, but any modern-day risks were not seen as appealing. Pretaitis suggests this might relate to our instinctive approach to choosing potential mates:
...today, humans might view behaviors that demonstrate mastery over ancient Hunter-Gatherer threats as positive, as they historically signaled genetic fitness to potential mates and competitors. Conversely, modern risks are often seen negatively, as they carry the chance of harm (e.g., injury) without offering evolutionary benefits (i.e., good genes). Essentially, risks can be culturally attractive and considered "cool" when they showcase ancestral fitness but may be regarded as "foolish" when they don’t offer such advantages.
So, what kinds of risks could potentially boost your attractiveness? Activities like biking (especially mountain biking), skateboarding, training dangerous animals, rock climbing (especially outdoors), snorkeling or scuba diving, playing sports, swimming in the ocean (the deeper the better), and racing. Any danger that involves physical harm could make you more appealing. Taking risks isn’t necessarily an "evil" thing—and we don’t encourage reckless behavior—but you might look a little more like a daring adventurer by embracing some risk.
Photo by Tambako The Jaguar.
