Re-examining relational pursuit and mate selection in online dating

Having too many online dating options has been theorized to hamper relational pursuit by making people choosier and ponder their options. However, daters do not make a choice just by comparing the value of their mates – they also consider how they will be evaluated by these mates and adapt behaviors accordingly. Therefore, being exposed to a larger option set may instead enhance relational pursuit outcomes by facilitating a compatible match and altering perception of one’s own value in the market. We examined these possibilities in two preregistered experiments ( N S1 = 193; N S2 = 342) where people chose a match from thirty-one (high-option) or six profiles (low-option) to go on a date with. High-option participants reported greater relational pursuit with their choice than low-option participants; match compatibility or similarity mediated this effect. The effect of option quantity appears less certain than once considered and warrants future investigation from diverse theoretical perspectives.