Individual Differences in the Communication of Romantic Interest: Development of the Flirting Styles Inventory

Abstract

Relationship initiation research supports the existence of 5 styles of communicating romantic interest in others: traditional, physical, sincere, playful, and polite. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on a large adult sample (N = 5,020) supported the existence of the styles. Styles predictably corresponded with self-monitoring and a 5-factor personality model. Women scored higher on all styles, except the playful style. Predictive validity was demonstrated by correlating styles to courtship initiation behaviors and past relationship experiences. The physical, sincere, and playful styles correlated with more dating success. The physical and sincere styles correlated with rapid relational escalation of important relationships with more emotional connection and greater physical chemistry.

Keywords:

• Communicator Style
• Courtship
• Date Initiation
• Flirting
• Relationship Initiation
• Self-Monitoring

A previous version of this manuscript was presented at the 2008 International Communication Association conference in Montreal, Canada.

Notes

Note. N = 5,020. Values in boldface type represent grouped factor loadings.

Note. N = 5,020. Cronbach's alpha scores are on the diagonal, and female intercorrelations are below the diagonal.

*p < .001.

^a N = 3,605.

^b N = 1,281.

*p < .001.

^a N = 3,622.

^b N = 1,289.

*p < .001.

^a N = 3,622.

^b N = 1,272.

*p < .001.

^a N = 3,561.

^b N = 1,258.

*p < .001.

Flirting can be narrowly defined to only include behaviors that signal romantic or physical interest in another person, or it can be more broadly defined to include behaviors that mimic flirtatiousness but are intended to achieve other goals, such as making a third party jealous. Henningsen (2004) separated these definitions by identifying the former as courtship initiating and the latter as quasi-courtship. This manuscript is concerned with different styles of communicating romantic interest; therefore, courtship, rather than quasi-courtship, is relevant.

Deviations from this norm for women can either put women at risk of making a negative impression (e.g., being seen as too desperate or too willing), and deviations for men are unlikely to lead to courtship initiation (e.g., women are unlikely to approach men who are unwilling to take a more proactive role).

The sociosexuality construct, developed by Gangestad and Simpson (1990), measures the degree to which individuals require closeness and commitment prior to engaging in sex. The physical flirting style does not measure attitudes toward sex but, instead, individuals' willingness and ability to convey sexual interest to a potential partner.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeffrey A. Hall

Jeffrey A. Hall (Ph.D., University of Southern California, 2007) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas.

Steve Carter

Steve Carter (Ph.D., University of Southern California, 2003) is a senior director for research and product development at eHarmony.com.

Michael J. Cody

Michael J. Cody (Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1977) is a professor at the Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern California.

Julie M. Albright

Julie M. Albright (Ph.D., University of Southern California, 2001) is a research assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Southern California.