Comparing Narratives of Personal and Preferred Partner Characteristics in Online Dating Advertisements

This study explored online personal ads of 294 heterosexual and homosexual men and women in the United States through a qualitative analysis and comparison of participant-generated “personal” and “preferred partner” narratives. Nine characteristics were identified and combined into three overarching categories: physical, lifestyle, and personality characteristics. These three personal and preferred partner characteristics were examined for difference by gender, sexual orientation, age and desired relationship type of the advertisers. Main effects emerged for all four predictors, most notably for age and desired relationship type. Additionally, this study explored the possibility that personal and preferred partner narratives contained similar constellations of characteristics, finding significant correlations on all three variables, lending support for the matching hypothesis in dating partner characteristics

Dressed for Sex: Red as a Female Sexual Signal in Humans

Background: In many non-human primate species, a display of red by a female serves as a sexual signal to attract male conspecifics. Red is associated with sex and romance in humans, and women convey their sexual interest to men through a variety of verbal, postural, and behavioral means. In the present research, we investigate whether female red ornamentation in non-human primates has a human analog, whereby women use a behavioral display of red to signal their sexual interest to men. Methodology/Principal Findings: Three studies tested the hypothesis that women use red clothing to communicate sexual interest to men in profile pictures on dating websites. In Study 1, women who imagined being interested in casual sex were more likely to display red (but not other colors) on their anticipated web profile picture. In Study 2, women who indicated interest in casual sex were more likely to prominently display red (but not other colors) on their actual web profile picture. In Study 3, women on a website dedicated to facilitating casual sexual relationships were more likely to prominently exhibit red (but not other colors) than women on a website dedicated to facilitating marital relationships. Conclusions/Significance: These results establish a provocative parallel between women and non-human female primates in red signal coloration in the mating game. This research shows, for the first time, a functional use of color in women’s sexual self-presentation, and highlights the need to extend research on color beyond physics, physiology, and preference to psychological functioning

Environmental influences on human mate preference across Canada

Sexual selection and mate preference is dynamic and can be influenced by a number of environmental factors. The purpose of my study was to determine if there is a correlation between environmental factors and human female mate preference in cities across Canada. Environmental, economic, and mate preference data were collected from 26 cities across Canada. Mate preference data was collected by looking at the first 50 online profiles for each city on a popular online dating site. Across the 26 cities, I recorded variation in both environmental (e.g., sex ratio, population density, population size) and mate preference data (resource holding potential, physical attractiveness, emotional appeal and personal activities and interests). I then asked whether the observed variation in stated preferences could be explained by variation in environmental and economic conditions across these cities. Furthermore, because this dating site includes the poster's characteristics, I also examined whether age was correlated to mate preference and if it explained the relationships between mate preference and the environmental influences. I found that preference for resource holding potential was positively related to population density and negatively related to age. In addition, I found that population size was positively related to preference for physical attractiveness and negatively related to preference for personal activities and interests. The findings from this research expand our current knowledge of the influences of environment on female human mate preference. My work also highlights the importance of examining poster characteristics, especially age, as they tend to vary across cities and can have a strong effect on observed patterns of female human mate preferences

Portuguese online dating: exploring gender differences in self-presentations

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in the construction of self-presentations in online dating profiles. 200 personal ads and 1006 photographs of men and women profiles were collected in Portugal from the dating site Meetic.pt. The data was analyzed following a methodology strategy based on content analysis and grounded theory. The findings revealed that, by means of a selective self-presentation, online daters try to please and attract potential partners. Men stress their rational and practical attributes and their cultural, professional, and economic status, whereas women value their emotional, and affective facets, and their inclination to dream. Women also emphasize their physical attributes more than men. Although it is possible to detect certain clues pointing toward modern gender roles, gender stereotypes persist. The results of the study corroborate and extend previous findings, providing compelling evidence for gender differences in online dating self-presentations. Furthermore, the research led to an unexpected result: besides the attributes deemed most valuable, online daters also reveal individual characteristics that are not so positive or are even negative. The study offers empirical knowledge and fills a gap in the existing literature about the online dating situation in Portugal. It concludes by presenting some limitations and considerations for future research.El propósito de este estudio es investigar las diferencias de género en cuanto a la construcción de la presentación personal en los perfiles de páginas de citas online. Para ello, se recolectaron 200 anuncios personales y 1006 fotografías de perfiles de hombres y mujeres, encontrados en el portal de citas Meetic.pt. Los datos han sido analizados siguiendo una estategia metodológica basada en el análisis de contenido y la teoría fundamentada. Los resultados revelan que, a través de una cuidada presentación personal, los usuarios del portal de citas intentan agradar y atraer a potenciales parejas. Los hombres enfatizan sus atributos racionales y prácticos, así como su estatus cultural, profesional y económico; mientras que las mujeres valoran más los aspectos emocionales y afectivos. Además, las mujeres también enfatizan más sus atributos físicos que los hombres. Aunque también es posible detectar ciertos indicios que apuntan hacia la adopción de roles de género modernos, los estereotipos de género persisten. Los resultados del estudio corroboran y amplían conclusiones anteriores, aportando evidencias suficientes para la identificación de diferencias de género en la forma de presentación personal en las páginas de citas online. Más allá de ello, la investigación nos ha llevado a un inesperado descubrimiento: admeás de los atributos que se consideran más valiosos, los usuarios de estas páginas también revelen características individuales que no son positivas o que son incluso negativas. El artículo concluye identificando ciertas limitaciones y reflexiones para futuras investigaciones

Mecanismos de selección de pareja en función del sexo: un estudio en población colombiana

La teoría evolucionista expuesta por Buss 1996 plantea que existen mecanismos diferentes en el ofrecimiento y búsqueda de atributos a la hora de seleccionar una potencial pareja sexual. Partiendo de dicha teoría y de investigaciones que la sustentan, el objetivo de esta investigación es confirmar estas predicciones en población colombiana y relaciones a largo plazo. Para esto se realizó un análisis de categorías como edad, atractivo físico y recursos encontradas en anuncios de la página www.colombiancupid.com. Se analizaron 1405 anuncios de los cuales 548 pertenecían a hombres y 857 a mujeres heterosexuales. Los anuncios fueron escogidos bajo los siguientes parámetros: el anuncio debía tener la edad del anunciante y de la pareja deseada, además debía tener una descripción de ellos, debían tener en el tipo de relación buscada solo en matrimonio. A partir del análisis de resultados se evidencia que en general las mujeres buscan hombres mayores que ellas y los hombres buscan mujeres menores; aunque en algunos rangos de edad las mujeres buscan parejas menores y los hombres parejas mayores. En el análisis de atractivo físico las mujeres ofrecen y buscan con mayor frecuencia este rasgo, al igual que en la variable de recursos. En conclusión, existe cumplimiento de las predicciones evolucionistas en la edad tanto ofrecida como buscada por hombres y mujeres y en el mayor ofrecimiento de atractivo físico y mayor búsqueda de recursos en mujeres.The evolutionist theory presented by Buss 1996 states that there are different mechanisms in the offer and search of attributes when selecting a potential sexual partner. Based on this theory and the research that supports it, the objective of this research is to confirm these predictions in Colombian population and long-term relationships. For this, an analysis of categories such as age, physical attractiveness and resources found in advertisements of the page www.colombiancupid.com was carried out. We analyzed 1405 advertisements of which 548 belonged to men and 857 to heterosexual women. The ads were chosen according to the following parameters: the advertisement had to have the age of the advertiser and the desired couple, besides it had to have a description of them, they had to have in the type of relation sought only in marriage. From the analysis of results it is evident that in general women seek men older than themselves and men seek younger women; Although in some age ranges women are looking for younger couples and older couples. In the analysis of physical attractiveness women offer and seek this trait more frequently, as in the resource variable. In conclusion, there is fulfillment of evolutionary predictions in the age both offered and sought by men and women and in the greater offer of physical attractiveness and greater search of resources in women

Características preferidas por hombres y mujeres que buscan pareja estable de su mismo sexo

Las preferencias en elección de pareja de hombres y mujeres interesados en establecer relaciones a largo plazo con personas de su mismo sexo biológico ha sido un tema de interés para el análisis evolucionista, ya que existe debate frente a los resultados de las investigaciones y los planteamientos de las teorías de inversión parental y estrategias sexuales. Con el objetivo de identificar qué características son preferidas por hombres y mujeres interesados en establecer una relación a largo plazo con personas de su mismo sexo biológico y contribuir a esta discusión, se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo en el que analizamos el contenido de 732 perfiles de hombres y mujeres (H=491; M=241) que buscaban una relación estable con parejas de su mismo sexo biológico. Las categorías analizadas fueron: edad, atractivo físico (apariencia, contextura, estatura y peso), estatus socioeconómico (situación laboral, nivel educativo y zona de residencia buscada), estado civil, número de hijos y hábitos saludables (fumar y beber). Los resultados encontrados muestran que los hombres presentan rangos amplios en las características deseadas en una pareja (edad=16.87; estatura=11.37; peso=15.23) y además buscan personas menores a la edad ofrecida (M=-4.17 años). En las mujeres se encontró que los rangos son más restringidos (edad=13.85; estatura=9.83; peso=12.77) y además prefieren parejas mayores (M=2.89 años). A nivel general, se evidencia que los resultados encontrados en la mayoría de las variables podrían indicar congruencia con los planteamientos de la teoría de inversión parental y estrategias sexuales; sin embargo, en otras variables los resultados no son claros.Mate choice preferences of men and women willing to establish long-term relationships with individuals of their same biological sex has been an interesting topic for the evolutionary analysis, as there is a debate between the results of several investigations and the statements of the parental investment theory and the sexual strategies theory. The goal of this study was to identify the preferences of mate selection in men and women interested in establish long-term relationships with people of the same biological sex. In order to contribute to this discussion, a descriptive study was done, in which we analyzed the content of 732 men and women’s web profiles (H=491; M=241) that were seeking a stable relationship with members of their same biological sex. The analyzed categories were:age, physical attractiveness (appearance, body type, height and weight), socioeconomic status (labor situation, educative level and sought residential zone), civil status, number of children and healthy habits (smoke and drink). The found results show that men exhibit wide ranges in desired characteristics when looking for a mate (age=16.87; height=11.37; weight=15.23) besides, they seek younger couples than themselves (M=-4.17 years). On the other hand, women exhibit more restricted ranges (age=13.85; height=9.83; weight=12.77) and also they prefer older couples than themselves (M=2.89 years). In sum, it is evidenced that the found results in the majority of the variables could indicate congruence with the statements of the parental investment theory and the sexual strategies theory; however, in other variables the results are not clear enough.Universidad del Rosari

Formas de Masculinidad en los Perfiles de las Páginas Web de Citas: Los Casos de Meetic.es y AdoptaUnTio

The analysis of masculinity has been a topic of growing interest in recent decades. Its study has incorporated a wide and diverse range of research areas and themes, including the representation of gender relations and identities on the Internet. Specifically, this article concerns the research area related to online dating websites and aims to compare the principal current tendencies related to identity -as provided by research on masculinity- with the way that men present themselves on two Spanish dating websites: Meetic.es and AdoptaUnTio.es. These types of virtual spaces have specific characteristics that facilitate the analysis of the masculine ideal among their users; or at least the characteristics that these men consider attractive to women. This research was carried out through a qualitative analysis supported by Atlas-ti. The principal results highlight the presence of traces of the so called egalitarian masculinity within predominant forms of traditional masculinity, characterized by a minimal process of reflection and introspection on the part of users of these websites.El estudio de las masculinidades ha sido objeto de interés creciente en las últimas décadas. Su análisis ha ido abarcando una amplia diversidad de temáticas, incluyendo, entre las mismas, la representación en Internet de identidades y relaciones de género. Para este artículo se ha tomado como ámbito específico de investigación el constituido por las páginas web de citas. De esta forma, se han contrastado las principales tendencias en materia de identidad que destacan las aportaciones desarrolladas en el campo de estudio de las masculinidades con las presentaciones que hacen de sí mismos una muestra de hombres usuarios de dos páginas web de citas españolas: Meetic.es y AdoptaUnTio.es. Este tipo de espacios virtuales tiene particularidades específicas que facilitan el análisis del ideal de masculinidad de sus usuarios o, al menos, de las características que éstos consideran que resultan atractivas para las mujeres. La investigación se ha desarrollado a través de un análisis cualitativo, apoyado en el programa Atlas-ti. Entre los principales resultados, destaca la presencia de algunos rasgos relativos a las denominadas masculinidades igualitarias, dentro del predominio de formas tradicionales de masculinidad, caracterizadas por un mínimo proceso de reflexión e introspección por parte de los usuarios

Masculinidades en Red y Redes Sociales: Análisis de los Hombres y los Medios Digitales Contemporáneos

It is of course recognised that technology is gendered and is implicated in gender relations. However, it continues to be the case that men’s experiences with technology are underexplored and the situation is even more problematic where digital media is concerned. Over the past 30 years we have witnessed a dramatic rise in the pervasiveness of digital media across many parts of the world and as associated with wide ranging aspects of our lives. This rise has been fuelled over the last decade by the emergence of Web 2.0 and particularly Social Networking Sites (SNS). Given this context, I believe it is necessary for us to undertake more work to understand men’s engagements with digital media, the implications this might have for masculinities and the analysis of gender relations more generally. To begin to unpack this area, I engage theorizations of the properties of digital media networks and integrate this with the masculinity studies field. Using this framework, I suggest we need to consider the rise in what I call networked masculinities - those masculinities (co)produced and reproduced with digitally networked publics. Through this analysis I discuss themes related to digital mediators, relationships, play and leisure, work and commerce, and ethics. I conclude that as masculinities can be, and are being, complicated and given agency by advancing notions and practices of connectivity, mobility, classification and convergence, those engaged with masculinity studies and digital media have much to contribute. Está reconocido que la tecnología tiene género y está también implicada en las relaciones de género. Sin embargo, las experiencias de los hombres con la tecnología están poco exploradas y la situación es aún más problemática cuando se trata de los medios de comunicación digital. En los últimos 30 años hemos asistido a un aumento espectacular de la omnipresencia de los medios digitales en todo el mundo y además de otros aspectos de nuestras vidas. Este aumento ha sido impulsado en la última década por la aparición de la Web 2.0 y las redes sociales (sobre todo SNS). En este contexto, es necesario comprender los compromisos de los hombres con los medios digitales, las implicaciones que esto podría tener para las masculinidades y el análisis de las relaciones de género en general. Para empezar a analizar este aspecto, planteo teorizaciones alrededor de las propiedades de las redes digitales y la integración de éstas en el campo de los estudios de la masculinidad. Utilizando este marco sugiero que debemos considerar el aumento de lo que yo llamo las masculinidades conectadas en red - las masculinidades (co) producidas y reproducidas con públicos interconectados digitalmente. A través de este análisis se discuten temas relacionados con la mediación digital, las relaciones, el juego y el ocio, el trabajo y el comercio y la ética. Mi conclusión es que a medida que las masculinidades pueden ser y están siendo, complicadas y dotando de agencia de avance a las nociones y prácticas de conectividad, movilidad, clasificación y convergencia, aquellos que se dedican a los estudios de la masculinidad y los media tienen mucho que aportar

Environmental influences on human mate preference across Canada

Sexual selection and mate preference is dynamic and can be influenced by a number of environmental factors. The purpose of my study was to determine if there is a correlation between environmental factors and human female mate preference in cities across Canada. Environmental, economic, and mate preference data were collected from 26 cities across Canada. Mate preference data was collected by looking at the first 50 online profiles for each city on a popular online dating site. Across the 26 cities, I recorded variation in both environmental (e.g., sex ratio, population density, population size) and mate preference data (resource holding potential, physical attractiveness, emotional appeal and personal activities and interests). I then asked whether the observed variation in stated preferences could be explained by variation in environmental and economic conditions across these cities. Furthermore, because this dating site includes the poster's characteristics, I also examined whether age was correlated to mate preference and if it explained the relationships between mate preference and the environmental influences. I found that preference for resource holding potential was positively related to population density and negatively related to age. In addition, I found that population size was positively related to preference for physical attractiveness and negatively related to preference for personal activities and interests. The findings from this research expand our current knowledge of the influences of environment on female human mate preference. My work also highlights the importance of examining poster characteristics, especially age, as they tend to vary across cities and can have a strong effect on observed patterns of female human mate preferences