A groundbreaking study conducted by psychologists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has uncovered the most powerful flirting strategies for both men and women.
Published in the esteemed journal Evolutionary Psychology, the researchers examined heterosexual college students from the United States and Norway. Participants were asked to rate the effectiveness of 40 different flirting techniques for both short-term and long-term relationships, taking into account the gender of the flirter. The study also considered factors such as extroversion levels, age, religiosity, willingness to commit, and attractiveness in the dating market.
“The effectiveness of flirting techniques depends on your gender and the nature of the relationship you seek,” explained Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, a psychology professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in a press release.
For women seeking short-term relationships, the most effective technique came as no surprise.
“When it comes to women looking for a fling or a one-night stand, signals of sexual availability are considered the most effective,” Kennair revealed. Merely friendly gestures like hugging or a peck on the cheek won’t cut it in these situations. Instead, women who desire a quick fling are better off using cues that emphasize their sexual availability, such as physical contact, moving closer, and rubbing against potential partners.
On the other hand, men seeking short-term flings cannot rely on a single technique.
“The tactics that proved most effective for women in one-night stands were exclusively sexual or physical,” the research team noted. “In contrast, men were deemed more effective when they combined physical and sexual tactics with smiling, showing interest in conversations, giving compliments, and making their partner laugh.”
For men seeking long-term relationships, the study found that “signs of generosity and a willingness to commit work best.” However, if you’re looking for more general flirting advice, there is one technique that seems to universally captivate.
“Humor, or the ability to make someone laugh, is considered most effective for men seeking long-term relationships. However, it is least effective for women seeking one-night stands. Nevertheless, laughing or giggling at the other person’s jokes is an effective flirting tactic for both genders,” Kennair stated. This finding held true for participants from both the United States and Norway.
“Being funny is not only effective,” added Rebecca Burch, a co-author from SUNY Oswego, US. “But for women, it is crucial to show your potential partner that you find them funny.”
If you struggle with humor, Kennair suggests starting with another effective flirting technique: smiling and making eye contact. Once you’ve mastered these basics, you can work on developing your other skills.
