Sexual Strategies Theory and Online Dating

Abstract

Evolutionary principles drive our behaviors. Even with evolved cultural intricacies, we still use our subconscious in mate selection. According to Sexual Strategies Theory, heterosexual males select mates with physical indicators of fertility while women select mates for short and long-term purposes. Traits that men and women identify as important in mate selection have changed over time. This study was designed to determine whether sexual strategies theory still applies; specifically, if male mating preferences are affected by females’ changing roles in society. Modern dating has broadened its horizons by expanding to online dating sites. Therefore, we were interested to see if this theory applies in this context.

In a previous study we explored how the principles of Sexual Strategies Theory may have changed for females. In this follow-up study, heterosexual males rated female online profiles by resources and attractiveness. Men were expected to disregard the resources in the profiles and solely focus on physical indicators of fertility. To test these hypotheses, an online survey was created and each heterosexual male was randomly assigned one of four female profiles, which only differed in resources and type of photo.

The data collected from our current study shows that the men are not finding one of the profiles more attractive based on their fertility features presented, This also shows that men are also not finding a preference for any of the profiles based on their resources. The women were also found to be equally datable on both a short-term, and a long-term basis.