Self-presentation of males and females in an online dating application: A profile analysis from north India

Abstract

This study was aimed to explore how males and females self-present themselves in an online dating mobile application. We selected consecutive 50 males and 50 female heterosexual profiles from an online dating application in west Delhi (India). A descriptive data analysis was done for socio-demographic details, profile picture and selfdescription. Males present themselves with details about their work, and they tend to show costly items/body muscles/outing/sports pictures in their profile. Notably taller males mentioned about their height. Males also mentioned about the alcohol/smoking status and favourite music. Females usually kept a selfie in a western outfit with fewer details in self-description. Both the sexes were equally descriptive and used similar words in their self-description. The purpose mentioned by both the sexes was to look for a lover in the dating application. These findings of this study can help in understanding the differences between males and females in their self-presentation on an online dating platform.