5 Jul 2008

Risky Attraction

- 29 Jun 2006

By Sandrine Ceurstemont

Page 2 of 2

He found that the 'risk taker' category had to be further broken down into 'heroic' and 'non-heroic' since opinions differed for each type of risk taker. 'Heroic' risk taking involved things like rescuing a child from a fire whereas the 'non-heroic' type might involve swinging off a roof for fun (or train surfing).

Results showed that both males and females preferred heroic risk takers as mates, with females showing a slightly stronger preference for this personality trait. When it came to non-heroic risk takers, both men and women said they would prefer to date a risk avoider. Male friendships, however, were a whole different ballgame since guys tended to seek out daredevils as friends.

Perhaps the train surfers are trying to impress the wrong sex? Farthing's more recent research shows that men who take moderate risks are mostly likely to win a woman's heart - although wimps are preferred over men who are reckless enough to risk death. At the end of the day, a balanced personality seems to be what women are after.

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