“Choosing the Perfect Profile Picture: The Role of Pets in Influencing Attractiveness in Online Dating, Considering Gender and Animal Type (Cat vs. Dog)”

Assignment Overview

Title: Choosing the Perfect Profile Picture: The Role of Pets in Influencing Attractiveness in Online Dating Considering Gender and Animal Type (Cat vs. Dog)

Institution: Department of Social Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Abstract:
This study investigates how including pets in profile pictures impacts perceived attractiveness in online dating. It specifically explores the influence of gender and the type of animal (cat vs. dog). The research analyzes data from 482 individuals, revealing that pets do not significantly affect perceived attractiveness overall. However, pets have a greater influence on women’s opinions compared to men’s, and profiles featuring cats received slightly higher scores than those showcasing dogs.

Key Sections of the Thesis

1. Introduction:

   • Importance of online dating applications in modern romance.
   • Increasing trend of featuring pets in profile pictures.
   • Central research question: “How does the presence of pets in profile pictures influence perceived attractiveness on online dating platforms?”

2. Theoretical Framework:

   • Examination of pets in profile pictures and perceived attractiveness.
   • Discussion on the halo effect and manipulative use of pets in profile pictures.

3. Methodology:

   • Use of an online survey to gather data.
   • Participant criteria: heterosexual individuals who have used online dating applications in the past 24 months.
   • Survey details and data collection procedures.

4. Results:

   • Statistical analysis of data, including correlation and regression analyses.
   • Hypothesis testing reveals that pets do not significantly enhance attractiveness but show gender-specific impacts.

5. Discussion:

   • Interpretation of results in the context of existing literature.
   • Insights into gender differences and the type of pet on perceived attractiveness.

6. Conclusion:

   • Summary of findings and their implications for online dating profiles.
   • Recommendations for future research.

References and Further Reading

1. Books and Articles:

   • Ambady, N., & Rosenthal, R. (1992). Thin slices of expressive behavior as predictors of interpersonal consequences. Psychological bulletin, 111(2), 256.
   • Bargh, J. (1994). The four horsemen of automaticity: Awareness, efficiency, intentions, and control.
   • Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What is beautiful is good. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 24(3), 285-290.
   • Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (2017). Sexual strategies theory: An evolutionary perspective on human mating.
   • Eagly, A. H., Ashmore, R. D., Makhijani, M. G., & Longo, L. C. (1991). What is beautiful is good, but…: A meta-analytic review of research on the physical attractiveness stereotype. Psychological bulletin, 110(1), 109.

2. Online Sources:

   • Bak, P. (2010). Sex Differences in the Attractiveness Halo Effect in the Online Dating Environment. Journal of Business and Media Psychology. Link
   • Herzog, H. (2015). Does Having a Pet Make You More Attractive?. Psychology Today. Link
   • Homnack, A. (2015). Online dating technology effects on interpersonal relationships. Scholar Commons. Link

Instructions

1. Understand the Research Context:

   • Familiarize yourself with the theoretical framework and previous studies cited in the thesis.
   • Focus on understanding the role of pets in online dating profiles and the halo effect.

2. Analyze the Methodology:

   • Review the methodology section to understand how data was collected and analyzed.
   • Pay attention to the survey design, participant criteria, and statistical methods used.

3. Interpret Results and Discussions:

   • Carefully read the results section to grasp the key findings.
   • Reflect on the discussion to see how these findings fit into the broader context of online dating research.

4. Explore Further:

   • Read the references and further readings to deepen your understanding of the topic.
   • Consider how the findings can be applied in real-world online dating scenarios.

This comprehensive review and the provided resources will help you gain a thorough understanding of the assignment and its implications in the field of social sciences.

(but please see in the assessment form files that I put, my advisors said that the references are too old and I need to use more existing literatures)