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Cited by 33Evolutionary Psychology and Human BehaviorBody Image and Dysmorphia StudiesAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

Swipe right? Using beauty filters in male Tinder profiles reduces women's evaluations of trustworthiness but increases physical attractiveness and dating intention

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Appel, Markus, Hutmacher, Fabian, Politt, Theresa, Stein, Jan-Philipp·2023·Computers in Human Behavior
DOI 10.1016/j.chb.2023.107871
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Abstract

Mobile dating apps are popular platforms to initiate romantic relationships that provide several means for idealized self-presentation—such as the possibility to modify one's photos with the help of beauty filters. Connecting and extending prior theory and research, a model on the influence of filter use on potential dating partners' perceived trustworthiness and attractiveness is proposed. We conducted a pre-registered online experiment (N = 241), showing that (hetero- or bisexual) women perceive male Tinder users with filtered photos (as compared to the same users with unfiltered photos) as more physically attractive—but as less trustworthy. The more attractive and trustworthy the profile owner was perceived, the more likely the women were inclined to date him. Attractiveness had a greater influence on women's dating intention than trustworthiness, leading to a positive overall effect of filter use on dating intention, irrespective of photo-editing experience. Implications are discussed.

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  • Applying beauty filters enables individuals to optimize their physical appearance without much effort or expertise.

    “For instance, applying beauty filters enables individuals to optimize their physical appearance without much effort or expertise (e.g., Appel et al., 2023).”

    From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Appel et al., 2023

  • Beautifying practices go beyond superficial changes and may include significant modifications (such as adjusting the shape of the nose or the contour of the jawline).

    “Crucially, these beautifying practices go beyond superficial changes (such as adjusting color saturation) and may include significant modifications (such as adjusting the shape of the nose or the contour of the jawline).”

    From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Appel et al., 2023

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Authors
Appel, M., Hutmacher, F., Politt, T., & Stein, J.-P.
Affiliations
University of Würzburg (DE)
Corresponding author
Appel, Markus
ORCID
Venue
Computers in Human Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-11
Volume
148
Pages
107871
ISSN
0747-5632 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.chb.2023.107871
OpenAlex
W4383887987
Cited by
33
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 11 · 2021: 1
FWCI
7.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Computers in Human Behavior (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords
beauty filters, dating apps, Tinder, self-presentation, physical attractiveness, perceived trustworthiness, image editing, gender differences, bisexual women, romantic relationships

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