The actualisation of mobile dating application affordances to support racial digital dating intentions

The case of tinder

Bibliographic Data

ID21452035
AuthorsMaureen Tanner (0000-0001-9230-7672, University of Cape Town, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume43
Issue5
Pages831-844
Publication date2024-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueBehaviour and Information Technology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-929X • E-ISSN: 1362-3001
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0144929x.2023.2190417
OpenAlexW4324349202
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited47

Mobile dating applications like Tinder have changed how romantic relationships are pursued. However, real-world issues (e.g. racial hierarchies) are recreated within digital spaces and influence inter- and intra-racial dating intentions. The study explored how users actualise the affordances of a mobile dating application like Tinder to fulfil their racialized dating intentions. Through a qualitative study based on 25 semi-structured interviews, four novel propositions are formulated. The study specifically contributes to affordance theory as well as theories around self-presentation, impression formation and preference disclosure. The propositions articulate how inter- and intra- racial dating intentions are supported when mediated by the actualisation of mobile dating applications affordances namely Visual Dominance, Synchronicity and Locatability. The study also bridges a gap in mobile dating literature by focusing on a context beyond the Global North context, namely South Africa

Affordance · Cognitive psychology · Context (archaeology) · Dominance (genetics) · Romance · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · History · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology

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