A socio-ecological approach to relationship goals and self-presentation strategies in American and Chinese online dating websites

We investigate the cross-cultural differences in relationship goals and self-presentation strategies by users of American dating websites (n = 300) and Hong Kong Chinese dating websites (n = 300). Results showed that users of American dating websites were more likely to maximize their relationship c...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cheuk-yue Wan, M.S., Wai-lan Victoria Yeung, Ph.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-01-01
Series:Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622721000228
Description
Summary:We investigate the cross-cultural differences in relationship goals and self-presentation strategies by users of American dating websites (n = 300) and Hong Kong Chinese dating websites (n = 300). Results showed that users of American dating websites were more likely to maximize their relationship chances and had a greater preference for less committed relationships (e.g., friends, sexual interest); while users of Chinese dating websites were more likely to initiate more committed relationships (e.g., romantic partners, soulmates). Moreover, American website users adopted a self-enhancing presentation strategy (e.g., stating positive, superior self-attributes and emphasizing self-uniqueness in their personal advertisements), while Chinese website users adopted a self-effacement presentation strategy (e.g., disclosing also negative, inferior self-attributes and expressing feeling of loneliness in their personal advertisements). The observed findings are discussed in the framework of relational mobility.
ISSN:2666-6227