TY - JOUR
T1 - Playing Hard-to-Get
T2 - A New Look at an Old Strategy
AU - Houle, Laurie
AU - Barker, Erin
AU - Pronin, Emily
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - According to dating folklore, playing “hard-to-get” is an effective strategy for attracting prospective mates. However, some research suggests that this strategy could backfire if it leads prospective mates to withhold their attraction in return. The present research aimed to review the scope of research on the link between playing hard-to-get–i.e., appearing uncertain in one’s interest and/or difficult to attract–and romantic or sexual outcomes. A scoping search was conducted in the electronic databases of PsycINFO, Sociology Source Ultimate, Anthropology Plus, and Academic Search Ultimate using key words related to playing hard-to-get in the context of dating. A total of 18 studies were included in the review. Research suggests that playing hard-to-get may work if optimal levels of perceived uncertainty and difficulty are achieved. Additional variables were identified as being important when evaluating the tactic’s efficacy. These include the pursuer’s own level commitment to the pursued partner and aversion to uncertainty, and both the pursuer and pursued partners’ gender and attachment styles. Directions for future research and the relevance of sociocultural norms in dating are discussed. Keywords: playing hard-to-get, dating, romantic relationships, mating strategy, attraction.
AB - According to dating folklore, playing “hard-to-get” is an effective strategy for attracting prospective mates. However, some research suggests that this strategy could backfire if it leads prospective mates to withhold their attraction in return. The present research aimed to review the scope of research on the link between playing hard-to-get–i.e., appearing uncertain in one’s interest and/or difficult to attract–and romantic or sexual outcomes. A scoping search was conducted in the electronic databases of PsycINFO, Sociology Source Ultimate, Anthropology Plus, and Academic Search Ultimate using key words related to playing hard-to-get in the context of dating. A total of 18 studies were included in the review. Research suggests that playing hard-to-get may work if optimal levels of perceived uncertainty and difficulty are achieved. Additional variables were identified as being important when evaluating the tactic’s efficacy. These include the pursuer’s own level commitment to the pursued partner and aversion to uncertainty, and both the pursuer and pursued partners’ gender and attachment styles. Directions for future research and the relevance of sociocultural norms in dating are discussed. Keywords: playing hard-to-get, dating, romantic relationships, mating strategy, attraction.
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U2 - 10.1080/00224499.2022.2070117
DO - 10.1080/00224499.2022.2070117
M3 - Review article
C2 - 35580258
AN - SCOPUS:85130603171
JO - Journal of Sex Research
JF - Journal of Sex Research
SN - 0022-4499
ER -