Publication Type
Master Thesis
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
7-2023
Abstract
There has been a growing trend in mainstream media of certain individuals being termed as simps, generally recognized as people who engage in costly or extravagant romantic behaviors toward a romantic interest, but are often met with no reciprocation. It is suggested that simping behaviors appear to be an evolutionarily maladaptive mating strategy where individuals engage in excessive and obsessive behaviors when pursuing a romantic interest. The current research aimed to explore this phenomenon, to identify specific traits and characteristics that are typical of simps and simping behavior. Across a set of two studies comprising an act nomination and act frequency design, it was found that simps are generally perceived as undesirable romantic partners with low mate value, engaging in excessive and obsessive mate pursuit behaviors. They were also perceived to exhibit exploitative tendencies targeted at their romantic interests. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.
Keywords
simp, simping behavior, relationship initiation, mating strategies, persistent pursuit
Degree Awarded
MPhil in Psychology
Discipline
Applied Behavior Analysis | Social Psychology and Interaction
Supervisor(s)
TAN, Yu-Yang Kenneth (CHEN Yuyang Kenneth)
Publisher
Singapore Management University
City or Country
Singapore
Citation
HO, Daniel.
The (simp)le truth about excessive & obsessive romantic behaviors in men. (2023).
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll/516
Copyright Owner and License
Author
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.