Not Solely Superficial: A Qualitative Study on Impression Formation on Tinder

• In Event: ICA Interactive Paper/Poster Session III
  In Interactive Paper Session: Communication and Technology Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

This study examined how Tinder users form impressions of others how these impressions influence their evaluation of a potential romantic partner. Twenty Tinder users each evaluated about 50 Tinder profiles, while explaining the reasoning behind their evaluations. The study shows that Tinder users evaluate profiles in a hierarchical order. Their first evaluation of a profile owner is based on physical appearance. If that does not lead to immediate dismissal of a profile, people then continue evaluating potential partners in terms of their subcultural identity, personality, cultural background and age. Moreover, Tinder users evaluate profiles in a hierarchical order: potential partners’ perceived physical attractiveness is assessed first, and evaluators subsequently make assumptions about other characteristics of the potential partner. Our study shows that in online dating, even on Tinder, impressions are not based on physical appearance alone, but that people use the available information to form complete impressions of others.

Authors

• Danielle Bleize, Radboud U

• Alexander Peter Schouten

• Piia Varis, Tilburg U