Tinder Releases Study on Green Flags & Gender Assumptions

Tinder has released new research on green flags and the assumptions singles have about the opposite sex. ‘The Green Flags Study’ spoke with 8,000 heterosexual men and women from the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada to explore these issues.

The context

Tinder, the world’s largest dating app, identifies “a growing tension in how young singles seek to make new connections” in its latest research report.

“We’re seeing the first generation born with full internet access come of age and figure out what it means to connect — there’s a yearning to get offline while still relying on apps for everything”, it highlights.

What is the ‘Assumptions Epidemic’ ?

So why is this online generation particularly struggling? “The Green Flags Study reveals assumptions that young people have about each other: men and women are misjudging each other’s intentions in stereotypical ways.” says social psychologist Dr. Sara Konrath.

“Such stereotypes can be damaging to relationships. Staying curious and asking questions can help dig beyond the surface and lead to deeper connections”, they add. The study ultimately found that men and women have more in common than they realise. 

It found that 53% of men want a romantic relationship but think fewer women are looking for the same thing. In reality, 68% of women said they are looking for a romantic relationship, as well.

Research also identified that men often anticipate that women will focus on factors such as height and job title, getting “caught up in judgement stereotypes”. In reality, the research found that these traits are helpful, but not dealbreakers, women assess a potential partner.

Aligning on relationship goals

Another common area for assumption is about relationship goals and true motivations. For example, 65% of women believe that men are only seeking hookups, but in reality, only 29% of men admitted to that motivation.

The dating app’s research highlights that these misunderstood beliefs can make dating more difficult, as these assumptions prevent daters from seeing their match as a “surplus of possibility”. Being open to new possibilities helps daters unlock their “surprise-and-delight era”, it shared.

Core values and chivalry

Tinder points out that despite 78% of men and 84% of women saying they want equality in their relationship, it is increasingly popular to have a ‘traditional’ mindset when it comes to dating. So what does this look like?

Research shows that 74% of men are open to dating a woman who makes more money than them, but 37% would not say they are feminists. Tinder explains that this proves it is the communication and messaging around core values which may cause disconnect, rather than the values themselves.

Dating has changed, and so has the definition of chivalry. The study explored a few behaviours that women find to be chivalrous, even if they are not traditionally considered as part of gentlemanly conduct:

• “Make sure your date gets home safely.”  59% of women found this level of care to be chivalrous.
• “Put your phone away during one-on-one time.” 55% of women prefer going screen-free on dates.
• “Give sincere compliments.” 50% of women gave a thumbs up to genuine affirmations 

The future of dating

“Modern daters want to dig deep, talk about important issues, discuss long-term goals, and connect in meaningful ways”, the report summarises.

“It’s time to throw away the rose-coloured glasses and move forward with fewer assumptions and more intentionality (these stats don’t lie). Green flags are everywhere if you’re looking through the right lens”.

Read Tinder’s full study on green flags and dating assumptions here.