Brains and kindness beat looks, money and health — even 'on a budget'

Researcher João Francisco Takayanagi of the University of São Paulo asked 778 Brazilians aged 18 to 64 to 'build' an ideal partner by spending a limited budget of points across five traits: intelligence, kindness, looks, health and wealth. The study appeared in Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Intelligence and kindness were valued most by everyone, across gender and orientation. Heterosexual men put noticeably more into looks; people attracted to men valued wealth more; bisexual participants especially prized kindness. The bigger the budget, the more went to intelligence and kindness.

The author's caveat: this is what people say, not how they actually choose.

What it means for you: in your profile and on dates, show more than photos — talk about how you care for people and what excites you.