Experiences of Romantic Attraction Are Similar Across Dating Apps and Offline Dates in Young Adults

This study compared dating experiences through smartphone apps (e.g., Tinder) with offline-initiated dating. Previous research suggests that people feel greater apprehensiveness toward internet dating relative to traditional dating methods. Using an experience-sampling design (N = 793) over one month, we examined attraction, perceptions of dating partners (sexiness, warmth), and behaviors (sexual intercourse, alcohol) across dating modalities, and alongside trait sociosexuality, destiny/growth beliefs, romanticism, and gender. Results showed that participants reported experiences were similar for offline and app-initiated dates, except for those high in destiny/growth or romantic beliefs, who tended to feel less attraction to dating partners. Despite this similarity, participants viewed dating apps negatively. We also found little support for ideal partner preferences correlating with attraction or dating outcomes. We suggest that initial beliefs about dating may bias people away from dating app experiences, and personality traits such as romantic beliefs may dictate outcomes much more than the method of meeting.