What theories and concepts apply to the strategy of each ad? Why?

Below are 3 personal ads. Your assignment is to analyze the intent and strategy of the advertisers from a social-psychological perspective. Please describe the social-psychological principles you believe apply to the strategy of each ad, bringing in research findings or things you have learned in class as much as possible (some things that might apply to the strategy of the writer: Are they using strategies related to initial attraction, are they looking for someone who is similar or complementary, do any of the theories of interpersonal attraction apply? Does evolutionary theory apply to the ad? Why or why not?). Some questions you can discuss in regard to the ads are:
1. What theories and concepts apply to the strategy of each ad? Why?
2. Based on the concepts and research discussed in class, do you think each ad is going to be effective in attracting the desired mate? Why or why not?
3. After analyzing the three ads, discuss how they compare. Do men and women seem to want different things? Do the theories and concepts discussed in class apply to the heterosexual and same-sex ads in the same way? Explain your answers. (you can respond on the back of this sheet)
4. The ads below are from older, more traditional dating sites. More recently, people who are on the dating market are using mobile apps such as Tinder, Bumble, Hinge… Usually these apps allow less information to be posted. Do you think the types of sites/apps people use impact dating outcomes? Explain.
Advertisement 1: Woman seeking Man
Looking for my happily ever after – 26
age : 26 body : curvy height : 5’6″ (167cm) status : divorced
Hi there!
I’m a sweet and loving woman who has not had the best of luck with relationships over the years. But it’s time for a change. I’m looking for someone who wants a long term relationship. I’m college educated and getting my masters degree. I have a full time job and a car. I like cooking and baking and going on adventures. As well as cuddling up and watching a good movie or binge watching a TV show on Netflix.
You are confident, employed, have a car and a place to live. You are funny and sweet and honest, and know how to be romantic from time to time. If this sounds like you please respond with some of about yourself and a picture. Your picture gets mine 🙂
Advertisement 2: Man seeking Woman
Intelligent and Introverted seeks same – 27
As the title implies: I’m an intelligent (curious) person who is also an introvert. I enjoy my “me” time, though I do also like going out on the town. I love exploring and learning but, at the same time, I’m not interested in showing off or bragging about it. My life is quiet–I’m an old man at heart–and I enjoy good books, nice discussion and love over other pastimes.

I’d like a partner who was focused, intelligent, soft-spoken though possessing a fiery passion. Someone in decent shape, both mentally and physically, who is looking for something interesting, a little off the beaten path.
Advertisement 3: Woman seeking Woman
Looking for someone special – 24 (Covington, WA)
age : 24 body : big height : 5’5″ (165cm)status : single
I’m a 24 year old woman; red hair, blue eyes, and BBW. I can’t believe I’m resorting to Craigslist to try to find someone, but here it goes…

I’m very sweet, kind. giving, gentle, nerdy, and funny. I love cooking, baking, watching movies, going to the ocean, photography, and spending time with friends. I listen to a lot of rock/metal, new music, alternative, and even country. My current favorites shows are Doctor Who, Supernatural, Shameless, Big Bang Theory, and I always have loved Frasier. I’m a HUGE Seahawks fan, and would hope you are too. I very rarely miss watching the game! I am also a coffee fanatic; it’s a culture to me, as is vaping 🙂 I am also working very hard to lose weight, but I have a long way to go. I have a very pretty face, but great body is taking some time!

I’m looking for a woman who shares my interests, and who would be interested in chatting/getting to know each other for a little while before we meet. Last time I met someone immediately it didn’t go well. I’m hoping we can get to know each other, then meet and see if there is chemistry. I am NOT interested in men, married couples, or one night stands. I’m looking for something that could potentially grow into a serious relationship. Proper grammar is a must, and you must preferably be between 22 and 28 years old. Gotta be okay with the fact that I am a bigger girl — at least I’m a great cuddler!

If any of this sounds like you, I’d love to hear from you! Hope we can chat soon 🙂
I HAVE UPLOADED SOME POWERPOINT AND VIDEOS PROVIDED BY THE TEACHER TO GUIDE STUDENTS THROUGH THE MODULE

LINK TO VIDEOS:

LINK #1 :

Link #2:

683900
a few seconds ago
IN A SEPARATE PARAGRAPH PLEASE RESPOND TO RESPONSES BY STUDENT #1

STUDENT #1 RESPONSE:

The first ad posted seems to be similar to a type of exchange relationship. The person is stating what they have to offer, including assets and education. The ending of the ad is stating what the person expects in another individual. In this manner it is more of a “tit for tat” reciprocity of benefits. The first ad also explicitly states that picture exchange will only happen if the person reaching out sends the photo first, then this individual will respond in turn. This ad seems far too aggressive in the sense that it explicitly states that someone needs to have a job, car and stability to be considered for a relationship. There will be fewer responses to an ad such as this simply because of the amount of demands. It could possibly foster a better relationship because if a person does meet the criteria, there is less room for learning of potential undesirable traits.
The equity theory states that not only do people attempt to maximize benefits and minimize losses within relationships, they strive to achieve an equal ratio of benefits to losses for both partners. This is more clearly seen in the second ad. The individual is stating personal things about themselves, what they desire in a partner and what they have to offer. The in-depth explanation of the individual posting and the explanation of what the individual wants is a way to ensure that benefits are increased and potential losses are minimized. The ad uses many adjectives in a manner that attracts an individual who is similar and narrows the selection of individuals who do not fit to benefit. This ad seems that it would be effective simply because it does not explicitly state that the other individual requires certain attributes for the relationship to be possible. This person is just stating attributes that are desirable to them, not requirements for a relationship.
The third ad seems to be seeking more of a communal relationship. One where individuals respond to their partners needs in different ways and these needs can change over time. There is not necessarily an even exchange of benefits and losses. The individual posting described themselves in both positive and negative ways. They spoke about seeing if there was possible chemistry, not seeking a particular benefit from the person. This seems to be not as effective as an ad for a relationship, simply because most communal relationships are with friends or people an individual already knows. This seems like it will be more difficult to establish in an anonymous online community.
Men seeking women seem to look for attributes, while women seeking men are looking for more earning prospects and possession of certain assets. In the female seeking female ad, it was seen that the woman was looking for certain attributes in another woman, not necessarily the earning power. In terms of evolutionary psychology, in theory physical attractiveness is more important for men than it is for women and earning prospects are more important for women compared to men. When looking at real word data, it is found that actually both of these measures are nearly equal among men and women. In reality, it does seem that men and women want the same things in a partner. Why does it appear that women are more attracted to earning prospects and men are more attracted to physical beauty? Is this a stereotype that has been consistent in society?
Modern dating apps do not allow for this much information to be shared. There is only room for a small bio and a photo. This changes the prospects of dating because things end up being more broad in terms of what someone is looking for in an individual. It is also different in the fact that a photo is readily available right next to the bio. This definitely impacts dating outcomes because despite saying it is not important, people take physical appearance into consideration. This especially becomes true when you do not know someone, physical appearance is really all that you have. The bio in modern dating is so small that most of the decisions are probably based upon the photo available. In online dating do individuals look at the photo and take it into consideration when reading the small bio? Does the introduction of the physical appearance of an individual reduce their chances of finding a date, or does it increase it?

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