Separating Fact From Fiction: An Examination of Deceptive Self-Presentation in Online Dating Profiles
Abstract
This study examines self-presentation in online dating profiles using a novel cross-validation technique for establishing accuracy. Eighty online daters rated the accuracy of their online self-presentation. Information about participants' physical attributes was then collected (height, weight, and age) and compared with their online profile, revealing that deviations tended to be ubiquitous but small in magnitude. Men lied more about their height, and women lied more about their weight, with participants farther from the mean lying more. Participants' self-ratings of accuracy were significantly correlated with observed accuracy, suggesting that inaccuracies were intentional rather than self-deceptive. Overall, participants reported being the least accurate about their photographs and the most accurate about their relationship information. Deception patterns suggest that participants strategically balanced the deceptive opportunities presented by online self-presentation (e.g., the editability of profiles) with the social constraints of establishing romantic relationships (e.g., the anticipation of future interaction).
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Such deviations or misrepresentations were 'ubiquitous but small in magnitude' so that they would not be easily detectable in offline encounters.
“Such deviations or misrepresentations were 'ubiquitous but small in magnitude' (Toma, Hancock, & Ellison, 2008, p. 1) so that they would not be easily detectable in offline encounters.”
From Mobile Sexuality: Presentations of Young Filipinos in Dating Apps (2020) · cites this paper as Toma, Hancock, & Ellison, 2008
Some users mystified themselves by enhancing some qualities and deemphasizing the ones they felt were negative traits.
“Some also mystified their selves by enhancing some qualities and deemphasizing the ones they felt were negative traits (Ellison et al., 2006; Gibbs et al., 2006; Toma et al., 2008; Toma & Carlson, 2012).”
From Mobile Sexuality: Presentations of Young Filipinos in Dating Apps (2020) · cites this paper as Toma et al., 2008
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- Authors
- Toma, C. L., Hancock, J. T., & Ellison, N. B.
- Affiliations
- Cornell University (US)
- Michigan State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Toma, Catalina L.
- Venue
- Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-05-09
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1023-1036
- ISSN
- 0146-1672 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7433
- OpenAlex
- W2142189376
- Cited by
- 655
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 57 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 92 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 28.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Deception detection and forensic psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- online dating, self-presentation, deception, physical appearance, profile photographs, romantic relationships
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Body Height, Body Weight, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Deception, Male, Self Concept, Sexual Behavior, Sex Factors, Social Desirability, Internet, Intention
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