SWIPE RIGHT: A STUDY ON RACIAL PREFERENCES AND MEDIATING FACTORS ON ONLINE DATING PLATFORMS

Abstract

Online dating patterns and behaviors have been extensively studied, revealing that people are more likely to open the dating profiles of potential partners that are of the same ethnic group, and that people tend to have strong same-race preferences. In this study, I focus on the many confounding factors that influence a user’s dating decisions, which may drive the observed same-race preferences. The confounding factors that this study addresses include; religious beliefs, political views, the ability to fit into one’s family and proximity. I study these confounding factors through a survey that was sent to a random sample of Princeton University undergraduate students. The survey responses provide insight into respondents’ willingness to date individuals based on these factors, determining the importance of the confounders when choosing a romantic partner. The responses also provide insight on the mediating effect these confounders have on same-race preferences visible on online dating platforms.