Perceived Effectiveness of Flirtation Tactics: The Effects of sex, Mating Context and Individual Differences in US and Norwegian Samples

Abstract

Flirting involves various signals communicated between individuals. To attract potential mates, men and women exhibit flirtatious behavior to get the attention of, and potentially elicit sexual or romantic interest from, a desired partner. In this first large, preregistered study of judgement of the effectiveness of flirtation tactics based on Sexual Strategies Theory, we considered the effects of flirter’s (actor) sex and mating contexts in addition to rater's (participant) sex across two cultures, Norway and the U.S. Culturally relevant covariates such as sociosexuality, extraversion, mate value, age, and religiosity were examined. Participants from Norway (N = 415, 56% women) and the US (N = 577, 69% women) responded to one of four different randomized questionnaires representing a factorial design considering either short-term versus long-term mating context and either female or male sex of actor. We found that sexual availability cues were judged more effective when employed by women in short-term mating contexts. Friendly contact, such as hugs or kissing on the cheek, was not. Cues to generosity and commitment were judged more effective when employed by men in long-term mating contexts. Humor was rated as more effective when used by men and in long-term contexts, and least effective when used by women in short term contexts. However, laughing or giggling at someone's jokes was an effective flirtation tactic for both sexes. Overall, predictions for culturally relevant covariates were not supported, but cultural differences were found in bodily displays, initial contact, and generosity. These findings dovetail neatly with findings from the self-promotion literature, and further support that flirtation is a universal mate signaling strategy.

Examining the Sexual Double Standards and Hypocrisy in Partner Suitability Appraisals Within a Norwegian Sample

“…Regarding the sexual history of a potential partner for a friend, we do not expect, based on SST, to find evidence of the traditional SDS for signals of sexual availability (Bendixen & Kennair, 2015;Kennair et al, 2022;Schmitt & Buss, 1996). Instead, we expect a reversed sexual double standard that generalizes to the other domains of sexual behavioral history.…”

“…For example, it would predict that signals of sexual availability (e.g., promiscuity) would be particularly effective (and judged so by others) when used by women in a short-term context because the main constraint for men's reproductive fitness is identifying and mating with sexually available women. There is ample empirical evidence for this across studies and cultures (Bendixen & Kennair, 2015;Fisher et al, 2009;Kennair et al, 2022;Schmitt, 2002;Schmitt & Buss, 1996). Still, a woman's prior promiscuous behavior may alert men who pursue a mate for long-term relationship to the fact that future children might not be sired by himself, resulting in negative appraisals of her as a potential mate for a long-term committed relationship (Buss, 2016).…”

Enough with the incels! A literary cry for help from female insings (involuntary single).

“…What happens instead is that her high-value dates, after having had sex with her, move on to the next woman. Research supports that Amanda’s strategy is effective for short-term mating, but works counter to her long-term ambitions (Kennair, Wade, et al, 2022).…”

“…The fact that modern mating arenas channel so much sexual opportunity to the most attractive men makes casual sex a less-suited entry point for relationships. Kennair, Wade, et al (2022) found that people are aware of this, and perhaps Amanda is too, at some level, but she remains unable sufficiently to separate “to have sex” from a productive pursuit of a pair bond, for which people recommend having fun together, engaging in deep conversations, and spending significant time with each other.…”

Hărțuirea Stradală

“…Flirtul presupune diverse semnale comunicate între indivizi. Pentru a atrage potențial parteneri, bărbații și femeile manifestă comportamente de flirt pentru a atrage atenția și pentru a trezi interesul sexual sau romantic de la partenerul dorit (Kennair et al, 2022).…”