Hot stuff! : the evolutionary psychology behind the attractivness of volunteer firefighters

Abstract

Research has demonstrated a clear relationship between riskiness and reported levels of general attractiveness. Research has also explored the perceived attractiveness of altruistic behaviors of males and females. No previous study has examined if these same findings apply to members of the volunteer fire service. The current study sought to examine this question, by presenting heterosexual females with pictures and biographies of volunteer firefighters, manipulating the firefighter's riskiness and altruism to measure differences in their levels of perceived attraction. The pictures either showed the model in the traditional gear of the firefighter, the dress uniform, or plain clothes. The biography paired with these pictures either depicted a risky firefighter, an altruistic firefighter, or it simply included that they are a firefighter. Dispositional measures included personality assessment to account for potential individual differences in the relationship between these factors. In general, communal biography cues were found to be most attractive for a long-term relationship, and were rated highest on the Parenting Effort scale. Further, Risky biography cues were found to be most attractive for a brief sexual affair, and were rated highest on the Mating Effort scale