Too Hot to Trust: Examining the Relationship Between Attractiveness, Trustworthiness, and Desire to Date in Online Dating

• In Event: Dating Processes Using Social Media

Abstract

This study seeks to shed new light on the manner in which individuals process online dating profiles by manipulating the dating profile picture to be either “enhanced” or “unenhanced” and investigating the manipulation’s effect on perceived attractiveness and trustworthiness. The results of this study reveal that individuals perceive an enhanced profile picture as more attractive, and men perceive an enhanced profile picture as less trustworthy, while women perceive it as more trustworthy. An indirect effects model also revealed that perceived trustworthiness mediates the relationship between similarity and attractiveness, though these effects were not moderated by the picture manipulation itself. Finally, this study found that individuals have greater intentions to date individuals whose profile pictures are perceived as more attractive.

Authors

• Rory McGloin, U of Connecticut

• Amanda Denes, University of Connecticut

• Olivia Kamisher, U of Connecticut