Crazy Cat Men With Cat Photos In Their Dating Profile Pic Have Less Success At Finding Love
Cat lovers may want to look away, because this dating study is not especially kind to men posing with feline friends. Researchers looked at how women reacted to profile photos of the same man with and without a cat, and the results leaned heavily toward the cat-free version.
In the survey, women rated the man on traits like masculinity, personality, and dateability, then weighed whether they would consider him for a short-term or long-term relationship. The setup was simple, but the reactions were not, especially once pet preferences entered the picture.
It turns out a dating app photo can say a lot more than people expect.
In Colorado State University’s study, women were asked to decide which picture of a 20-year-old man they favored. Most of them said they preferred the photos without the cat.
Pictures of two men in their early twenties were presented to the group. Both potential dates had dark hair, wore similar blue shirts, and their pictures were taken against a white background. They posed with and without the cats.
After viewing the pictures, women rated the young men on qualities including perceived personality, masculinity, and whether they would consider going out with them for a short- or long-term relationship.
The study discovered that women perceived the man holding the cat as "less masculine" and, ultimately, "less dateable" for both short- and long-term relationships.
That cat was not helping his dating profile.
They also rated him higher on neuroticism. People with neuroticism are more likely to suffer from anxiety and fear, as well as low mood, frustration, and jealousy.
The researchers found that adding the cat made the man seem more open and agreeable. At the same time, he was perceived as more socially confident and outgoing when he was in the picture alone.
One of the questions women were asked was whether they considered themselves a "dog person," "cat person," "neither," or "both," which seemed to have an impact on their choice.
Women who identified as "dog lovers," "neither," or "both" preferred the picture of the man alone, while those who identified as "cat people" liked the photos with cats more.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS?
When we talk about the "Big Five" personality traits, we mean: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
The Big Five personality context theory uses these traits to outline the broad aspects of people's character and psyche.
Openness - it involves an appreciation for emotion, exploration, and uncommon ideas. People who are mostly open have a higher degree of intellectual interest and imagination, but they can be unpredictable and risk-takers.
Conscientiousness - these individuals tend to be organized and dependable. They are generally self-disciplined and prefer planned activities, though they can sometimes be stubborn and obsessive.
Extroversion - seeks stimulation from others and their attention. People with lower levels of extroversion are more reserved.
Agreeableness - these individuals are likely to be compassionate and cooperative rather than hostile towards others. Sometimes, highly agreeable individuals are seen as gullible or obedient.
People with lower levels of agreeableness tend to be aggressive or competitive.
Neuroticism - Individuals with high levels of neuroticism are susceptible to stress and can become angry, anxious, and disheartened easily.
The researchers stated it was conceivable that the women defaulted to the notion that the man photographed alone was a "dog person" or more likely to date a "dog person."
However, both cat and dog lovers perceived the man as more agreeable when he was holding a cat, indicating that women are more likely to date pet owners, regardless of the type.
Surveys have shown that cats are seen as more isolated, while dogs are typically perceived as more social, which contributes to their owners' image as outgoing individuals.
The women participating in the study were asked if they were currently involved with someone and how likely they would be to "swipe right" for a casual date.
While women felt that the man without the cat was appropriate for both long- and short-term relationships, it showed that females prioritize masculinity first when seeking a potential lifelong partner.
The study indicates that women tend to look for a man with robust physical masculinity, including strong chins, as well as dominant behavior for a casual short-term relationship.
That profile pic may have cost him a few matches.
Wait till you see the Redditor screenshot where someone says single men should only have dogs on one condition.
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