Preference for SMS Versus Telephone Calls in Initiating Romantic Relationships

This study examined sex differences in the likelihood of initiating first moves (toward relationship establishment) or first dates via short message service (SMS) text messaging and telephone calls. The sample comprised 159 females and 107 males, mean age 28 years, who completed an on-line self-report questionnaire that assessed relationship initiating behaviours. Whereas females were more likely to initiate first moves using SMS than telephone calls, males had no preference for communication channel. In initiating first dates, males were more likely to telephone than SMS, whereas females were reluctant to initiate regardless of the communication channel. Although males were more likely than females to initiate first moves and first dates via telephone calls, there were no sex differences when initiating via SMS. It was concluded that while SMS appears to have somewhat influenced the manner in which romantic first moves are initiated, traditional gender role expectations and preference for telephone communication are still strong when initiating first dates.