Being Attractive on a Dating App: Generational and Gender Differences in Tinder Bios and Profile Pictures

Marie-France Merlyn; Elena Díaz-Mosquera; Grace Latorre; Tifani Taimal-Albuja; Anderson Uriarte

doi:10.18535/sshj.v8i08.1235

Abstract

On dating apps, the image that users project of themselves, especially in terms of physical attributes, is important. This study explored how individuals of different generations and genders present their desirability through photos and self-descriptions—‘bios’—on their Tinder profiles. Through a virtual ethnographic study, 400 profiles of users aged 18–70 years were analysed and grouped into generation- and gender-based categories. The photographs were thematically analysed using observation matrices and descriptions. The results showed that, although all groups try to present themselves positively, generation- and gender-based differences exist in how individuals present their physicality through photographs (postures, angles, type of photo, place, facial expressions, body stereotypes, sexualisation) and bios. With respect to generations, these differences are attributable to the values and preferences of each group. Regarding gender differences, the influence of sociocultural stereotypes and ideals of femininity and masculinity is observed.

Keywords

Physical AttractivenessDating AppGenerationsGenderPhotographs.

References

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Ranzini, G., & Lutz, C. (2017). Love at first swipe? Explaining Tinder self-presentation and motives. Mobile Media & Communication, 5(1), 80-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050157916664559DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
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[refR-1] Anderson, M., Vogels, E., & Turner, E. (2020, February 6). The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/02/06/the-virtues-and-downsides-of-online-dating/Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Arreola, K. (2021). Diferencias individuales en usuarios solteros de Tinder: motivos y manejo de impresiones. Unpublished Master's Thesis, FLACSO, Ecuador. http://hdl.handle.net/10469/18630Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Bailey K., Cline L., & Gammage K. (2016). Exploring the complexities of body image experiences in middle age and older adult women within an exercise context: The simultaneous existence of negative and positive body images. Body Image, 17, 88-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.02.007DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Berkowitz, D., Tinkler, J., Peck, A., & Coto, L. (2021). Tinder: A Game with Gendered Rules and Consequences. Social Currents, 8(5), 491-509. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294965211019486DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Ciocca, G., Robilotta, A., Fontanesi, L., Sansone, A., D'Antuono, L., Limoncin, E., Nimbi, F. M., Simonelli, C., Di Lorenzo, G., Syracusano, A., & Jannini, E. A. (2020). Sexological Aspects Related to Tinder Use: A Comprehensive Review of the literature. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 8(3), 367-378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.12.004DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Consultoría Estratégica de Investigación de Mercados [Strategic Market Research Consulting] (IMEC). 2019. ¿Qué es la etnografía digital y qué herramientas se utilizan? https://www.cimec.es/que-es-etnografia-digital-herramientas-se-utilizan/Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Cruz, L. (2023). La feminidad hegemónica y autorepresentación digital en Tinder. Prâksis Journal, 1, 251-270. https://doi.org/10.25112/rpr.v1.3065DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Degen, J.L, A., & Kleeberg-Niepage, A. (2020). The More We Tinder: Subjects, Selves and Society. Human Arenas, 5(1), 179-195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-020-00132-8DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Degen, J.L., & Kleeberg-Niepage, A. (2023). Profiling the Self in Mobile Online Dating Apps: a Serial Picture Analysis. Human Arenas, 6(1), 147-171.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-021-00195-1DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] De Souza, L. K. (2019). Pesquisa com análise qualitativa de dados: conhecendo a Análise Temática. Brazilian Archives of Psychology, 71(2), 51-67. http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/pdf/arbp/v71n2/05.pdfGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Díaz-Sarmiento, C., López-Lambraño, M., & Roncallo-Lafont, L. (2017). Entendiendo las generaciones: una revisión del concepto, clasificación y características distintivas de los baby boomers, X y millennials. Revista Clío América, 11, 188-204. https://ideas.repec.org/a/col/000506/016524.htmlGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Hernández-Sampieri, R., & Mendoza, C. (2018). Metodología de la investigación: Las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. McGraw-Hill Interamerican.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). (2020). International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures performed in 2020. https://www.isaps.org/media/hprkl132/isaps-global-survey_2020.pdfGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Linne, J. (2020). “No sos vos, es Tinder”. Gamificación, consumo, gestión cotidiana y performance en aplicaciones de “levante”. Convergencia-Revista de Ciencias Sociales, 27, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.29101/crcs.v27i0.13365DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Linne, J., & Fernández, P. (2019). En búsqueda del match perfecto. Perfiles, experiencias y expectativas socioafectivas de jóvenes en torno a Tinder. Last Decade, 27(51), 96–122. https://ultimadecada.uchile.cl/index.php/UD/article/view/54305Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Lumbreras, M. (2018). Presentación y representación de las mujeres en Tinder. In M.J. Díaz Santiago and F.J. García-Castilla, Una mirada desde la Sociología Actual: análisis y propuestas del contexto social (pp. 135-152). Asociación Madrileña de Sociología (AMS). https://bit.ly/3VJUQeyGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Marx, J., & Mirbabaie, M. (2022). The Investigator's Dilemma - A Review of Social Media Analytics Research Ethics in Information Systems. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 26, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v26i0.3287DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Merlyn M-F. (2020). Dime lo que escuchas y te diré quién eres. Representaciones de la mujer en las 100 canciones de reggaetón más populares en 2018. Feminismo/S, 35, 291-320. https://doi.org/10.14198/fem.2020.35.11DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Mesa-Medina, O. & Marfil-Carmona, R. (2018). Diferencias de género en la relación socioafectiva virtual e implicaciones educomunicativas en la red Tinder. In M.R. Cruz Díaz, F.J. Caro-González and A. Ramírez García, Uso del teléfono móvil, juventud y familia (pp. 65-90). Egregius. http://hdl.handle.net/10481/54357Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Papalia, D., & Martorell, G. (2021). Desarrollo humano (14th ed.). McGraw Hill EducationGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Pearson, C. (2023, June 22). How Online Dating Apps Can Lead to Burnout. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/well/mind/burnout-online-dating-apps.htmlGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Piran, N. (2016). Embodied possibilities and disruptions: The emergence of the Experience of Embodiment construct from qualitative studies with girls and women. Body Image, 18, 43-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.04.007DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Piran N., Teall, T., & Counsell, A. (2023). Expanding the social lens: A quantitative study of the developmental theory of embodiment. Body Image, 44, 246-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.11.009DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] Portingale, J., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., Liu, S., Eddy, S., Liu, X., Giles, S., & Krug, I. (2022). Love me Tinder: The effects of women's lifetime dating app use on daily body dissatisfaction, disordered eating urges, and negative mood. Body Image, 40, 310-321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.005DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Ranzini, G., & Lutz, C. (2017). Love at first swipe? Explaining Tinder self-presentation and motives. Mobile Media & Communication, 5(1), 80-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050157916664559DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Rodgers, R., Campagna, J. & Attawala, R. (2019). Stereotypes of physical attractiveness and social influences: The heritage and vision of Dr. Thomas Cash. Body Image, 31, 273-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.01.010DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Strubel, J. & Petrie, T. (2017). Love me Tinder: Body image and psychosocial functioning among men and women. Body Image, 21, 34-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.006DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK). (2023). Generational Breakdown: Info about all of the generations. https://genhq.com/the-generations-hub/generational-faqs/Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] Timmermans E., & De Caluwé E. (2017), To Tinder or not to Tinder, that's the question: An individual differences perspective to Tinder use and motives. Personality And Individual Differences, 110, 74-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.01.026DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] Timmermans E., & Courtois, C. (2018). From swiping to casual sex and/or committed relationships: Exploring the experiences of Tinder users. The Information Society, 34(2), 59-70. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/01972243.2017.1414093DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] Tinder. (n.d.). General Information. https://bit.ly/3wI4PXTGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-32] Vendemia M., & Fox J. (2024). How social media images of sexualized young women elicit appearance commentary from their peers and reinforce objectification. Body Image, 49, 101683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101683DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] Ward L., Jerald M., Grower P., Daniels E., & Rowley S. (2023). Primping, performing, and policing: Social media use and self-sexualization among U.S. White, Black, and Asian-American adolescent girls. Body Image, 46, 324-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.06.015DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Zemke, R., Raines, C., & Filipczak, B. (2013). Generations at work: Managing the Clash of Boomers, Gen Xers, and Gen Yers in the Workplace (2nd ed.). American Management Association.Google Scholar ↗