July 16, 2009
The Dating Scene
The Dating Scene
Tara Seymour, Chelsea Grint and Phoebe O’Brien
July 16, 2009
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the different trends in the dating scene.
Objectives
- To explore the different impacts of first impressions.
- To investigate the habits of people in the dating scene.
- To understand how dating can develop into a relationship.
Methodology
Our method used was an online survey that questioned dating habits and trends. The population that we drew our sample from included men and women of all ages who are internet users. This population was appropriate because the range of variation was wide and allowed us to widen our scope of investigation. The sample was selected for convenience. We chose to send the survey to people on our Facebook accounts and our USF email accounts. We had confidence that we would get a wide variety of sufficient responses. Our sample is representative of the young adult population, but not necessarily the population as a whole. Most of the respondents were women. The results are not truly representative because of the lack of equal proportion in gender.
We began our survey with a screening question. If the respondent was married or engaged, they were directed to the end of the survey. When all of the surveys were completed, we reviewed them and disregarded the incomplete or blank surveys. Approximately 400 people were contacted and we had 121 responses. Our response rate was 34%. The timeframe of our research was Sunday, July 5 to Sunday, July 12, 2009. The survey consisted of 20 questions. We did not use any form of compensation to increase the response rate. We verbally followed up with individuals in hopes of increasing response rate. The respondents were not exposed to any stimuli. Our sample was roughly between the ages 18 and 30. The majority of our respondents were Caucasian (84%), and 63% were female.
Results
First Impressions
Through our screening question we found that 98% of the respondents are single and have never been married, 1% of respondents are divorced, and 1% are separated.
We found that most respondents are interested in dating individuals between 1-3 years older or 1-3 years younger than themselves. 61.5% of respondents were interested in dating someone 1-3 years older than themselves, 41.7% of respondents were interested in dating someone 1-3 years younger, and 15.6% of respondents showed no preference.
Physical attraction is what initially attracts most respondents to another individual. 50% of respondents chose physical attraction as what initially attracts them to another person.
Most respondents are attracted to another person’s eyes and smile. 88.5% of respondents were attracted to the smile and 87.5% of respondents were attracted to eyes. Other attractive characteristics include height and build.
Respondents are most attracted to another person’s smile. 47.9% respondents chose the smile as what they are attracted to most out of all characteristics.
Most respondents believe that initial chemistry is very important in making a first impression. 60.9% said initial chemistry is very important.
| Not at all important | Not very important | Somewhat important | Very important | |
| Initial Chemistry | 1.1% (1) | 2.2% (2) | 35.9 (56) | 60.9 (56) |
Most individuals meet dating matches through their friends and family. 88.5% of respondents pursue personal relationships through friends and family. 80.2% of respondents meet other people at school.
Half of the respondents felt comfortable approaching someone they were interested in. 50.5% respondents claimed that they were somewhat comfortable to approach an individual while 32.6% of respondents claimed that they were not very comfortable.
| Not at all comfortable | Not very comfortable | Somewhat comfortable | Very comfortable | |
| Comfort level | 2.1% (2) | 32.6% (31) | 50.5% (48) | 14.7% (14) |
Habits
Most respondents are comfortable giving their phone number to someone they are interested in. 51.6% claimed that they were somewhat comfortable giving out their phone number while 39.6% claimed that they were very comfortable giving out their phone number.
| Not at all comfortable | Not very comfortable | Somewhat comfortable | Very comfortable | |
| Comfort level | 1.1% (1) | 7.7% (7) | 51.6% (47) | 39.6% (36) |
Most respondents have approached someone they were interested in at a party or at school. 76.8% have approached individuals at school, and 72.6% of respondents have approached someone at a party.
Most respondents claim that they have not been on a first date in the last month. 64.2% of respondents have not been on a first date within the last month while 27.4% of respondents have been on 1-2 first dates in the last month.
On average, the respondents claimed that the other person paid on the first date. Of all the female respondents, 80% said the male paid for the first date. Other respondents said that it depends on who requested the date.
Most respondents claim that they are somewhat comfortable with kissing on the first date. 46.2% of respondents are somewhat comfortable kissing on the first date while 4.3% of respondents are not at all comfortable with kissing on the first date.
| Not at all comfortable | Not very comfortable | Somewhat comfortable | Very comfortable | |
| Comfort level | 4.3% (4) | 18.3% (17) | 46.2% (43) | 31.2% (29) |
Relationship Development
Most respondents claim it takes 3-4 dates to open up about personal topics to their date. 44.2% of respondents can open up within 3-4 dates while 35.8% of respondents open up within 1-2 dates. Other respondents claimed that it depends on who they are with and their chemistry level.
Most respondents are somewhat deterred from dating someone who is willing to move faster in a relationship. 66.3% of respondents are somewhat deterred from dating someone who is willing to move faster in a relationship.
| Not at all deterred | Somewhat undeterred | Somewhat deterred | Very much deterred | |
| Deterrence level | 11.6% (11) | 18.9 (18) | 66.3% (63) | 3.2% (3) |
Personal Background Information
Most respondents claimed to be young adults in their 20’s.
Most respondents taking the survey claimed to be female. 63.2% respondents are female while 36.8% of respondents are male.
Most of the respondents taking the survey were Caucasian. 83.9% of respondents were Caucasian while7.5% of respondents were Hispanic.
Most respondents claimed that it is not a priority to date within their race. 35.8% of respondents said that it is not very important to date someone within their race.
| Not at all important | Not very important | Somewhat important | Very important | |
| Importance | 25.3% (24) | 35.8% (34) | 33.7% (32) | 5.3% (5) |
Summary and Conclusions
Based on our analysis we discovered that first impressions are very important in the dating process. We found that first impressions are impacted by physical attraction and initial chemistry. The physical characteristic that attracted people most was the smile. Most people prefer to date someone within a three-year range, either younger or older than them. Most people are somewhat comfortable approaching people they are interested in through friends and/or family.
A good number of people are somewhat comfortable giving their phone number to someone they met in school or through friends. Within the last month most individuals have not been on a first date. However, when they do go on a date it is usually the other person that pays, and it is mostly men who pay. Many people are somewhat comfortable kissing on the first date.
Most individuals open up with personal information between three to four dates. The majority of people are somewhat deterred from continuing a relationship if the other person is willing to move faster.
