Love at first swipe? Explaining Tinder self-presentation and motives
- 16 September 2016
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Mobile Media & Communication
- Vol. 5 (1), 80-101
- https://doi.org/10.1177/2050157916664559
Abstract
The emergence of location-based real-time dating (LBRTD) apps such as Tinder has introduced a new way for users to get to know potential partners nearby. The design of the apps represents a departure from “old-school” dating sites as it relies on the affordances of mobile media. This might change the way individuals portray themselves as their authentic or deceptive self. Based on survey data collected via Mechanical Turk and using structural equation modeling, we assess how Tinder users present themselves, exploring at the same time the impact of their personality characteristics, their demographics, and their motives of use. We find that self-esteem is the most important psychological predictor, fostering real self-presentation but decreasing deceptive self-presentation. The motives of use—hooking up/sex, friendship, relationship, traveling, self-validation, and entertainment—also affect the two forms of self-presentation. Demographic characteristics and psychological antecedents influence the motives for using Tinder, with gender differences being especially pronounced. Women use Tinder more for friendship and self-validation, while men use it more for hooking up/sex, traveling, and relationship seeking. We put the findings into context, discuss the limitations of our approach and provide avenues for future research into the topic.Keywords
This publication has 52 references indexed in Scilit:
- Matchmaking using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process, Compatibility Measure and Stable Matching for Online Matrimony in IndiaJournal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, 2012
- Self-Presentation 2.0: Narcissism and Self-Esteem on FacebookCyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 2010
- Putting Your Best Face Forward: The Accuracy of Online Dating PhotographsJournal of Communication, 2009
- On being liked on the web and in the “real world”: Consistency in first impressions across personal webpages and spontaneous behaviorJournal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2009
- Revealing the ‘real’ me, searching for the ‘actual’ you: Presentations of self on an internet dating siteComputers in Human Behavior, 2008
- “Any Girls Want to Chat Press 911”: Partner Selection in Monitored and Unmonitored Teen Chat RoomsCyberPsychology & Behavior, 2007
- The NPI-16 as a short measure of narcissismJournal of Research in Personality, 2006
- FROM 〈Bonehead〉 TO 〈cLoNehEAd〉: NICKNAMES, PLAY, AND IDENTITY ON INTERNET RELAY CHAT1Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 2006
- (Hetero)sexing Space: Gay Men and “Straight” Space in Adelaide, South AustraliaThe Professional Geographer, 1997
- Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement ErrorJournal of Marketing Research, 1981