How the timing of texting triggers romantic interest after the first date: A curvilinear U-shaped effect and its underlying mechanisms

Abstract

How and why does the timing of texting after a first date impact people’s relationship intentions? Based on previous literature, we developed and empirically tested three competing predictions—a linearly positive, a linearly negative, and an inverted U-shaped effect—of text timing on relationship intentions, perceived chemistry, and motivation to translate their relationship into action. We also explored the underlying mechanisms (i.e., thoughts about the sender, relative mate value, perceived neediness of the other, reciprocity, and perceived reliability of the sender). Based on a pre-study (N = 100), we determined the experimental manipulation with texting (a) immediately after the date, (b) the next morning, or (c) after two days. The main experiment (N = 543) showed a curvilinear effect: texting the next morning led to the highest relationship intentions. Women were more sensitive to these text timing effects than men. Mediation analyses highlighted the roles of perceived reciprocity and reliability in influencing relationship intentions, perceived chemistry, and motivation.