Match me if you can: self-presentation and dating applications

The purpose of this research paper, which is a pilot project, is to understand how different dating applications facilitate the process of impression-management, and if different applications lead to different modes of impression-management. Research suggests that dating apps can serve multiple purposes, among which casual sex and participating in hookup culture is only one (Anzani et. al, 2018; Timmermans & Courtois, 2018; Lebfevre, 2018; Castro & Barrada, 2020). Tinder and JSwipe are two popular dating applications, and they will be used as platforms to study alongside impression-management theory to explore how eligible single males incorporate techniques from this theory to emphasize different attributes to potential romantic partners. Findings from this MRP suggest that individuals stress non-physical attributes to potential matches, regardless of the application that is being used. However, this research paper was a pilot project, and therefore cannot confirm or dismiss any assumptions. This study points in various directions that might be fertile ground for further research on this topic, to confirm these findings.