(parenting) partner (Bassett & Moss, 2004; Kelly & Dunbar, 2001;
Sylwester & Pawlowski, in press). For long-term relationships the
negative consequences of risk-taking may possibly lower the value
of a mate by reducing his chance of survival and thus parenting
(Sylwester & Pawlowski, in press). Our study did not ask females
to rate male dancers in terms of a short-term versus long-term
partnership, so this remains to be examined.
In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that dances of
men with a high sensation seeking propensity are more attractive
to women. Thus we can assume that certain features of personality,
like risk-taking behaviours have an influence on men’s variations
in movement styles and women make attractiveness judgements
based on them. Further research is needed to identify crucial
movement components, which reflect personality differences
between males and are responsible for women’s perception of
dance quality. Such research should make use of modern motion
capture technology in combination with three-dimensional avatars
to explore precise motion parameters which possibly describe
biomechanical differences in men’s dancing caused by differences
in men’s personality traits.
Acknowledgement
This study was supported by the German Science Foundation
(DFG), Grant No. FI 1450/4-1, awarded to Bernhard Fink as well
as through the Institutional Strategy of the University of Göttingen.