What is online self-presentation?
Online self-presentation refers to how individuals present themselves on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tinder, Grindr, OkCupid, Zoosk, Bumble, Match.com, eHarmony, PlentyOfFish, ChristianMingle, JDate, and MuzMatch. They can create profiles with personal details about their appearance, interests, hobbies, career, education, lifestyle, religion, politics, relationship status, and more. These profiles may be public or private, but they are always available for potential partners to view before initiating contact. Individuals have control over what information to share and which photos to post. Some individuals post provocative pictures or videos, while others post tame ones. All profiles should have an attractive profile picture.
How does online self-presentation influence perceived sexual attractiveness?
Research suggests that people who post more revealing pictures or videos receive more attention and messages from potential partners.
Women who post suggestive photographs of themselves are more likely to receive flirtatious messages than women who do not. Women who wear revealing clothing in their profile pictures also receive more attention than those who dress conservatively. Men who display muscular physiques are considered sexually desirable, even if they are not particularly handsome or tall.
Researchers disagree on whether self-presentation affects physical attractiveness ratings. Some argue that self-presented attributes are similar to actual attributes, while others contend that self-presentation is a performance that masks reality.
How does online self-presentation influence compatibility?
Online dating allows users to find partners who share common interests, values, beliefs, attitudes, and goals. Users can specify preferences such as age range, location, religion, political affiliation, education level, race/ethnicity, height, weight, hair color, eye color, body type, smoking/drinking habits, marital status, children, pet ownership, occupation, salary, etc. Compatibility based on these characteristics may be important for successful relationships.
Individuals with similar educational backgrounds tend to date each other more frequently than those with dissimilar backgrounds. Similarly, individuals with shared religious beliefs or political ideologies are more likely to form long-term relationships. Self-presentation can increase the likelihood of finding a compatible partner.
How does online self-presentation influence relational initiation?
Self-presentation increases interaction opportunities by displaying personal information publicly. It allows users to browse through profiles before initiating contact. Individuals typically initiate contact when they perceive another individual as being compatible and attractive. They message or chat directly, invite a date, or send a flirtatious emoji. Online dating apps have made it easier to start relationships without fear of rejection because users can reject matches anonymously. This reduces social anxiety and increases the chances of forming a relationship.
Individuals may feel pressured to maintain an image online, which could lead to false representation.
Online self-presentation has significant effects on sexual attractiveness, compatibility, and relational initiation. Individuals who want to find romantic partners should carefully consider their profile pictures, interests, hobbies, lifestyle choices, appearance, attitudes, values, beliefs, goals, and other factors that potential partners will see. They should also be honest about themselves to avoid disappointment and frustration later in the relationship.
How does online self-presentation influence perceived sexual attractiveness, compatibility, and relational initiation?
According to research studies, individuals who present themselves through social media platforms may be more likely to portray an idealized version of themselves, which can lead to misrepresentations that might affect their perceived physical attractiveness, compatibility, and relational initiation. While some people tend to overestimate their actual appearance or achievements, others may underestimate them.