Research Symposium

BIO

First year psychology major from Safety Harbor, Florida. Currently working as an Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP) assistant in the Attraction and Close Relationships Lab at Florida State University, run by Dr. Andrea Meltzer. Future professional goals include attending a PHD program in psychology and working as a Clinical Psychologist.

Studying Attraction Through Virtual Speed Dating

Abstract

Romantic selectivity and factors influencing initial attraction are poorly understood given the methodological challenges in observing early relationship formation. To enhance understanding, studies have employed speed dating events to examine associations between an individual’s basic romantic preferences and their relationship outcomes in a controlled, naturalistic setting. Participants aged 18-24 at Florida State University (N = 66; 33 female, 33 male) were enrolled in a virtual speed dating paradigm. These Zoom events consisted of 8 to 12 brief speed dates for each participant and surveys measuring partner interest were administered after each date. In pairs with reciprocated interest, virtual first dates were held, and follow-up surveys of partner satisfaction were administered over the next four weeks. Four speed dating events were hosted from October 6, 2025 to November 4, 2025. Across events, 42 total matches were formed, averaging 10.5 matches per event with 41 participants having at least one match. Both genders were about equally selective, as 21 females had at least one match (63.6%), while 20 males had at least one match (60.6%). These findings diverge from prior research suggesting women are more selective in identifying romantic partners, as both genders demonstrated about equal selectivity. These findings contribute to ongoing research on romantic attraction and suggest the value of virtual speed dating events for studying early relationship formation. Future research using virtual speed dating should extend beyond educated young adult samples and examine same-sex relationship formation.

Keywords: Psychology, Social Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology