Visual Attention to Evolutionarily Relevant Information by Heterosexual Men and Women While Viewing Mock Online Dating Profles

Abstract

<p>The way people create social connections and access information has been altered greatly by technology in recent decades. Online browsing of visual profles has become a common means for seeking potential partners for both short- and long-term relationships. Little is known, however, about how people prioritize mate quality information while viewing online profles. Using eye-tracking methods and self-report, this study investigated how people evaluated profle-based facial attractiveness and text-based fnancial resources information, represented by income and occupation. Heterosexual male and female participants, aged between 18 and 27 years, viewed opposite-sex profles while their eye-movements were recorded using a remote eye-tracking camera. In line with current theory, resources information had little efect on men’s overall attention to women’s faces, whereas women’s overall attention to men’s faces varied depending on the level of income and occupation. Women evaluated men’s faces more when income and occupation were low, regardless of attractiveness. Unexpectedly, however, men marginally increased their attention toward unattractive women who showed a high-level of income and more esteemed occupation. Men self-reported a higher interest in women for a short-term relationship and women self-reported a higher interest in men for a long-term relationship. This work provides a foundation to further examine how people browse profle-based information and to investigate the mate selection process, with real-world implications for online dating app users, profle design, and content.</p>