The Influence of Online Dating Pool Size Variability on Mate Selection Satisfaction and Investment

Although online dating has increased the ease for individuals to meet a larger number of prospective mates, relationships initiated online are often less stable and lasting than those formed through face-to-face means. This study investigated the extent to which larger dating pools undermine individuals’ investment in potential mates. Single, heterosexual community members viewed dating profiles from small or large mating pools before selecting a preferred partner for a first date. Participants subsequently evaluated their partner and indicated their anticipation for a first date, including various investment behaviors. Larger dating pools heightened satisfaction and attraction, possibly due to greater probability of access to high-quality mates. More specifically, women experienced less decision regret in these larger dating pools compared to smaller dating pools, whereas men were indifferent. This may align with the idea that women invest significantly into reproduction and the ability to offset such cost with mate selection from a larger mating pool is preferable because it could offer better mate choices. Contrary to choice overload theory, these findings suggest greater choice in online mating contexts is perceived as beneficial and informs the relation of evolutionary theory to contemporary mating contexts.