Dear Evolution: Are funny people more attractive or are more attractive people funnier?

Hi,

Interesting question, according to a study conducted by the University of Kansas, humor is more attractive in both men and women. The study found that the more humorous a person was, the more their rating of attractiveness increased, especially compared to the initial ratings given by the researcher. 

However, a different study found a difference in what funny means between genders. Men are more attracted to women who are receptive to their humor, while women are more attracted to men who make them laugh.

According to a study conducted by the University of Kansas, funny people are more attractive. The study found that the more humorous a person was, the more their rating of attractiveness increased, especially compared to the initial ratings given by the researcher. Women found men much more attractive if they had a good sense of humor.

However, it is also true that attractive people can appear funnier. In studies of attractiveness, both men and women rate funny people as more attractive, and cite having a good sense of humor as being one of the most important traits in a long-term partner.

So, it seems that there is a positive correlation between humor and attractiveness, but it’s difficult to say which one is more important. It’s possible that humor and attractiveness are mutually reinforcing, and that people who are both funny and attractive have an even greater advantage in the dating world. This appears to be especially true for men.

You may be wondering why humor is considered more attractive. According to a study conducted by Psychology Today, humor is commonly regarded as an indicator of intelligence and creativity, which are desirable characteristics.

Although being humorous may be attractive because it signals genetic quality, evidence suggests that humor serves another important function: to help initiate and monitor social relationships. People are more likely to laugh and react positively to humor if they reciprocate interest, and when we know someone likes us, it makes us more likely to like them because there is less risk in putting ourselves out there.

With love,

Evolution