Single people may have a list of attributes they are looking for in a partner when they embark on the dating game , from that elusive ‘ spark ’ to a hot body . Now a new study has revealed that playfulness comes high on the list of desirable attributes in a long-term partner . Experts say that a sense of fun is more important to many people than whether someone has a degree or is religious . Play to win hearts : A new study has revealed that playfulness comes high on the list of desirable attributes in a partner ( illustrated with a stock image ) - just behind friendliness , intelligence and a sense of humour . Research by the University of Zurich revealed that playfulness is important to both sexes – just behind friendliness , intelligence and a sense of humour . They also found that naturally playful people deem humour , a laid back attitude and creativity more important in partners than their more serious peers . They described playful adults as those having a love of wordplay who enjoy teasing , people who are spontaneous and will take on a challenge lightheartedly and those who play the fool , for example . While playfulness comes in many forms , little research has been conducted into the trait and how desirable it is to others . Study found playful people deem humour , a laid back attitude and creativity more important in partners than their more serious peers ( stock image ) The new study builds on the research of anthropologist Garry Chick from Pennsylvania State University , who developed a theory that playfulness in adults is a desirable trait in sexual selection . This is because it indicates to women , a low level of aggression in men and to men , vitality in the fairer sex . René Proyer and Lisa Wagner from the Department of Psychology at the University of Zurich , have shown that playfulness also plays an important role in the choice of a partner in the European culture . They asked 327 young adults from Germany , Switzerland and Austria to examine a list of 16 characteristics and indicate whether or not they found them desirable in a potential long-term partner . The results showed that men and women largely agreed in their orders of preference , although there were differences in individual ratings , according to the American Journal of Play . For example , women found a sense of humour more important than men and men found an exciting personality more important than women . Friendliness , intelligence , humour and a fun tendency came at the top of the list . Playfulness ranked mid-table , although not all that far behind the favourites . ‘ Therefore , this personality trait also seems important for the choice of partner – at least more so that the partner having a degree , good genes or being religious , ’ said Dr Proyer . They also found that participants who described themselves as playful also valued playfulness , humour , a laid-back attitude , a fun tendency and creativity among potential partners themselves . Study volunteers who were in relationships assessed themselves as more playful than those who were currently single . ‘ Although we should be cautious while interpreting the data , this could be an indication that playful people are actually perceived as more attractive partners or that playfulness increasingly develops in the relationship , ’ Dr Proyer added . Keeping your online dating profile humble is the key to success , researchers have revealed . Keeping your online dating profile humble is the key to success , researchers have revealed . They found that people who are looking for love online are less apt to trust a person with a flashy profile . Instead , they prefer a potential partner who appears not only successful , but humble and real as well . Andy High of the University of Iowa said : 'We found people want to contact a person who appears to be accurate in what they are saying about themselves online . 'It 's tough when it comes to dating profiles because we want someone who seems like an amazing person , but we also hopefully will have a relationship with this individual , so we want them to exist . ' The team found most people in their study were drawn to individuals whose profiles were positive but not over-the-top glowing . More importantly , participants preferred people whose online persona could be clearly traced to a real person . That means people want details , not broad generalities , especially about where a prospective love interest works and what he or she does for a living .
University of Zurich study revealed importance of playfulness in a partner . The researchers found that men who were more playful with their partners had higher levels of oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding and love.