This study examines self-presentation in online dating profiles using a novel cross-validation technique for establishing accuracy. Eighty online daters rated the accuracy of their online self-presentation. Information about participants' physical attributes was then collected (height, weight, and age) and compared with their online profile, revealing that deviations tended to be ubiquitous but small in magnitude. Men lied more about their height, and women lied more about their weight, with participants farther from the mean lying more. Participants' self-ratings of accuracy were significantly correlated with observed accuracy, suggesting that inaccuracies were intentional rather than self-deceptive. Overall, participants reported being the least accurate about their photographs and the most accurate about their relationship information. Deception patterns suggest that participants strategically balanced the deceptive opportunities presented by online self-presentation (e.g., the editability of profiles) with the social constraints of establishing romantic relationships (e.g., the anticipation of future interaction).

/pdf/an-examination-of-deceptive-self-presentation-in-online-515sslooku.pdf

An Examination of Deceptive Self-Presentation in Online Dating Profiles

Two studies explored interpersonal and action-control aspects of guilt. Both spontaneous and partner-induced guilt were studied using first-person accounts of interpersonal transgressions and guilt manipulations. Guilt was associated with transgressions against valued partners in close relationships, especially involving interpersonal neglect, unfilled obligations, and selfish actions. Feeling guilty was associated with higher rates of learning lessons, changing subsequent behavior, apologizing, confessing the transgression, and recognizing how a relationship partner's standards and expectations differ from one's own. Inducing guilt also appears to be a costly but effective way of influencing the behavior of relationship partners. The results support the view of guilt as a mechanism that alters behavior in the service of maintaining good interpersonal relationships.

Personal narratives about guilt: Role in action control and interpersonal relationships.

/pdf/separating-fact-from-fiction-an-examination-of-deceptive-3s68w5cuvq.pdf

Separating Fact From Fiction: An Examination of Deceptive Self-Presentation in Online Dating Profiles

The Social Context of Premarital Sexual Permissiveness

Institutional and personal hostility toward lesbians and gay men is a fact of life in the United States today. At the cultural level, homosexuality remains stigmatized through institutional policies. Statutes prohibiting antigay discrimination in employment, housing, and services are in force in only two states (Wisconsin and Massachusetts), the District of Columbia, and a few dozen municipalities and local jurisdictions (e.g., San Francisco, New York, Chicago). Lesbian and gay military personnel are subject to discharge if their sexual orientation is discovered, no matter how exemplary their service records. Gay civilians routinely are denied government security clearances, or are subjected to more intensive investigation than are heterosexual applicants. Lesbian and gay relationships generally are not legally recognized and, in 24 states and the District of Columbia, the partners in same-sex relationships are forbidden by law from private sexual contact (e.g., Herek, 1989, 1990a; Melton, 1989; Rivera, this volume). Many individual heterosexuals’ attitudes toward gay men and women are consistent with this institutional hostility. Roughly two-thirds of Americans condemn homosexuality or homosexual behavior as morally wrong or a sin (e.g., polls by ABC, 8/87; Los Angeles Times, 8/87; Roper, 9/85); this pattern appears not to have changed significantly from the late 1970s (e.g., polls by Yankelovich, 3/78; Gallup,

Stigma, prejudice, and violence against lesbians and gay men.

This investigation focused on the influence of exposure to and interaction with gay persons on heterosexual self-reported attitudes of comfort with homosexuality. A group-administered questionnaire, including a 25-item scale by Hudson and Ricketts to measure the perceived degree of dread or discomfort of contact with homosexuals, was used in human sexuality classes at a southeastern metropolitan university during 1983. Findings taking into account the total scale scores, as well as the 25 individual item scores. suggested that exposure to and interaction with homosexuals results in a self-reported attitude of reduction in discomfort with homosexuals.

The Effects of Interaction with Gay Persons on Attitudes Toward Homosexuality

Heterosexual females and males are continually searching for members of the opposite sex for dating and romance. Have changes in gender roles over the recent past resulted in changes in the characteristics in the search for dating and romance? There are various available choices for those presently interested in meeting, dating, and possibly finding romance with some-one. One of these available choices, placing descriptive, singles ads in newspapers and magazines, was investigated in this research. A content analysis of 1,433 descriptive ads was conducted to determine the characteristics sought in potential heterosexual partners for females and males and to compare these characteristics with characteristics identified in previous studies. Results of this content analysis suggest that changes in the “marriage gradient” are taking place and that nonsmoking is becoming more of a concern for both males and females who are seeking a potential partner.

Gender Differences in Heterosexual Dating: A Content Analysis of Personal Ads

Estimating community standards: the use of social science evidence in an obscenity prosecution

One aspect of the “sexual revolution” has been the introduction of human sexuality courses on American college and university campuses. This study investigated the effects of a human sexuality cour...

Human Sexuality Course Socialization: An Analysis of Changes in Sexual Attitudes and Sexual Behavior

This study compared the sexual permissiveness of sex-integrated dormitory living with sex-segregated dormitory living by collecting data, using a before-after design, from a probability sample of 245 students enrolled at a Southeastern state-supported university. The self-administered question naire, which included a Guttman-type scale on sexual permissiveness, was completed early in and again near theend of the 1972-1973 school year. While no significant differences were found in the sexual permissiveness of sex-in-tegrated and sex-segregated dormitory students early in the school year, sex-integrated dormitory students were characterized by greater sexual permissiveness at the end of the year.

Larry M. Lance

Papers

The Effects of Interaction with Gay Persons on Attitudes Toward Homosexuality

Gender Differences in Heterosexual Dating: A Content Analysis of Personal Ads

Estimating community standards: the use of social science evidence in an obscenity prosecution

Human Sexuality Course Socialization: An Analysis of Changes in Sexual Attitudes and Sexual Behavior

Sex-Integrated and Sex-Segregated University Dormitory Living A Trend Analysis of College Student Sexual Permissiveness