Unveiling the truth about 'flirting'

Flirting is often seen as playful behavior, intended to signal interest in a potential partner. However, a new study suggests that behind playful banter, suggestive glances, or intimate gestures, flirting can also be a tool for achieving personal goals, and how people flirt is significantly influenced by their personality traits.

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The study, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, was conducted by scientists from the University of Alabama and the University of Connecticut in the US. It surveyed 955 people about their flirting habits. To increase reliability, the research team also collected opinions from nearly 2,000 "informants"—friends or acquaintances of the survey subjects.

Based on this data, scientists assessed the frequency and level of "skill" in flirting for each person in seven different social contexts, including the workplace, dating, and parties.

"Bright" and "Dark" personality traits

The results show that individuals with "dark personality traits" such as narcissism, Machiavellianism (scheming, calculating self-interest), and psychopathy tend to use flirting as a tactic to gain advantages, such as career advancement or free drinks. For narcissists in particular, the motivation is sometimes not purely transactional, but stems from a need for attention.

Conversely, people with "bright personalities"—such as those who value humanism and believe in humanity—are generally less likely to use flirting for personal gain, because they value genuine connection more.

Overall, women tend to use more instrumental flirting than men. Researchers suggest this may be related to the fact that women are often the recipients of "rewards" in social situations, such as free drinks at bars, and are also more successful than men in this type of flirting.

The role of social context

The study also indicated that when the goal is to build connections, the social context has a greater influence than individual personality. According to the authors, in such situations, people are more easily influenced by the "atmosphere" of their surroundings than by inherent personality traits.

The authors argue that the research findings help to better explain why and how people flirt, and reveal aspects of each individual's personality. According to them, flirting is not just a normal social behavior but also reflects personality, motivations, and individual differences.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/bat-mi-su-that-ve-tan-tinh-20260110061953853.htm