Its easier to reject 'unsuitable' partners in hypothetical situations than face-to-face

A new study has revealed that rejecting unsuitable romantic partners is easy in hypothetical situations, but not so when considering a face-to-face proposition.

According to new research from the University of Toronto and Yale University, when actually faced with a potential date, people don't like to reject a person and make them feel bad, which is not necessarily something that people anticipate when they imagine making these choices.

Study's lead researcher Samantha Joel said that the fact that people underestimate how concerned they'll about hurting the other person's feelings may help to explain why people's dating decisions often don't match up with their stated dating preferences. he study participants completed their own dating profile and then were given three profiles which supposedly belonged to other participants. Participants were split into real and hypothetical situations. Those in the real situation were told that the potential dates were in the lab next door and could meet them. Those in the hypothetical situation were told that the potential dates were unavailable, but to imagine the possibility of meeting them.

Participants selected their favourite profile of the three. They were then given additional information about the potential date - including a photo of an unattractive person, and a completed questionnaire that suggested the potential date wanted to meet them. The participants completed the same questionnaire: those in the real situation were told that it would be presented to the potential date and those in the hypothetical situation were to imagine the potential date receiving it.

The researchers found that those in the real situation were more likely to accept the date from the unattractive suitor. When asked, the participants said they were concerned about hurting the potential dates' feelings.

The study was published in Psychological Science.