Decision making under uncertainty: factors influencing mate selection in a dating application simulation

Download

index.pdf

Date

2017

Author

Semchenko, Ayten Yeşim

Metadata

Show full item record

Item Usage Stats

437
views

211
downloads

Human social intentions are heavily influenced by their perceptions of others. In this study, the effect of perceived attractiveness is of particular interest. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of perceived attractiveness on the likelihood of wanting to have sex and the likelihood of using condom among dating application users. In real dating application environments, there would be many uncontrolled variables (e.g., age, not/having common friends etc.) related to the profiles that the participants will see. To have more experimental control, the dating application simulation, named as ImeetU, was developed for this study by using Unity3D. Fake profiles are created with the face photos which were rated in terms of attractiveness, trustworthiness, promiscuity and interest in a long-term (committed) relationships via two pre-studies (n1=64, n2=61, respectively). The pre-studies were conducted online while the main study (n3=39) was conducted at the Cognitive Science Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara. The participants were not informed that the profiles that they will see on ImeetU are not real. The first finding of the main study was that perceived attractiveness of the matched partner significantly affects the likelihood of wanting to have sex for the participants of both genders. Higher/lower likelihood of wanting to have sex was observed with higher/lower perceived attractiveness of the matched partner. Secondly, for males, perceived attractiveness of the matched partner significantly and inversely affects the likelihood of condom use. Considering females, perceived attractiveness does not significantly affect the likelihood of condom use.

Subject Keywords

Dating (Social customs)., Interpersonal relations., Manners and customs., Decision making.

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12621513/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/26901

Collections

Graduate School of Informatics, Thesis

Suggestions

OpenMETU
Core

Social distinction and symbolic boundaries in a globalized context : leisure spaces in İstanbul Lortoğlu, Dilber Ceren; Mutman (Yeğenoğlu), Meyda; Department of Sociology (2003) This study focuses on the conditions and processes that strengthen social distinctions and symbolic boundaries in society. In order to fully grasp the conditions of these processes, it is not sufficient to simply study them as they are carried out on a daily basis. Therefore in this study firstly a general overview of the matter evaluated in the context of globalization. Although a variety of means are at work in constructing social distinctions and symbolic boundaries, in this study three of them have been...
Social comparison as a determinant of self-presentation Demir, Sıla; Özkan, Türker; Department of Psychology (2017) As social beings people usually try to project the best image of themselves on their interaction partners. On other occasions, they try to create the image that they think will be advantageous for them in a certain way. These self-presentational efforts may be conscious or automatic, and may be triggered by some situational determinants and be associated with some personality characteristics. Besides, social comparison tendencies may also be associated with self-presentation. People often compare themselves...
The Cognitive cost of interpersonal closeness in decision making Uğurlar, Nesibe Pınar; Sümer, Nebi; Posten, Ann-Christin; Department of Psychology (2018) Prior research has consistently demonstrated that prosocial behavior, cooperation, and trust increase with interpersonal closeness. This dissertation suggests a cognitive computational cost as an explanation for prosocial preferences driven by interpersonal closeness. Current hypothesis is based on the inclusion of other in the self approach suggesting that the overlap between the mental representations of the self and the other increases by closeness, which, in turn, makes it difficult to differentiate bet...
Direct and indirect effects of social support on psychological well-being Gençöz, Tülin (Scientific Journal Publishers Ltd, 2004-01-01) The aim of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect effects of social support on psychological well-being. Social support was evaluated under two different categories which were named as Aid-Related and Appreciation-Related Social Support. The first category was more related to potential for receiving help from others when needed, and being cared for by others, while the latter category was more related to being recognized by others as an efficient source of help and reassurance of worth. Under...
Surveillance and control in the age of information: a critical analysis of the technology-power relationship Kurt, Evren; Çakmur, Barış; Department of Science and Technology Policy Studies (2010) This study deals with the notions and practices of surveillance and control in the current society. By this means, it aims to discuss the relation between technology and power on basis of surveillance technologies witnessed in all domains of life. With the extensive use of new technologies as camera monitoring, biometrics, and smart cards, power holders get the opportunity and tools to monitor all actions and data of individuals. How this is achieved and for what purposes and the ideology behind the surveil...

Citation Formats

A. Y. Semchenko, “Decision making under uncertainty: factors influencing mate selection in a dating application simulation,” M.S. - Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2017.