Consequences of deceptive self-presentation in online dating

Abstract This study seeks to increase knowledge regarding the consequences of deceptive self-presentation in the context of online dating. Specifically, this study investigates how online daters may react to different levels of misrepresentation in online dating and the role gender may play in the above situation. A two (degree of deception) by two (self-presenting content) by two (gender) between-subjects factorial experimental design was adopted to empirically test the cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes of self-presentation in online dating profiles. The results indicate that online daters showed stronger changes in emotions and action willingness when they discovered others engaging in higher degrees of deception. Women and men reacted differently when confronting misrepresentation.