Running Head: Pickup Line

Social Psychology [PSYC0103]

Research Report

Submission Date: 22.1.2014

Pickup Line: The Art of Courtship

Session: Tuesday 1.00pm

Group Member:

1. Peh Ker Neng 0314619

2. Preston Liew Ru Ping 0313822

3. Peng Yep Siang 0315259

4. Garnette Dayang Robert 0315491

5. Rubayet Hassan 0308941

Acknowledgement

In this psychological experiment, we received a lot of cooperation and support from many

parties. We would like to voice my gratitude here. First of all, we want to thank all the willing

participants that cooperate by having faith in our professionalism and provide us all the required

information. Their willingness to participate in the experiment with open heart is a big

contribution towards our research. Next, we like to thank all our fellow friends that helped me

throughout the research. They gave advice to help us improve our conduct of experiment. They

also take part in the experiment by helping us manage the set up scenario.Finally, we would like

to express our sincere gratitude to Ms.Pang Chia Yee for the support and help throughout this

project. She has provided us the knowledge which allows us to complete the project.

Furthermore, we would like to thank all the participants involved in this study for their time.

Table of Content

Acknowledgement

Table of Content

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Participant

Apparatus/Material

Procedure

Results/Discussion

References

Appendixs

ABSTRACT

This experiment requires deception and covert observation. The elected researchers

initiate conversation with the targeted participants while the rest of the researchers record the

simple information of the encounter and record the process with a hidden camera. The purpose of

this experiment is to illustrate the difference between the male and the female’s attempt to pick

up an individual of the opposite sex. It is in our hypothesis that females will have more

successful attempts than males. The total number of participants is ten. The research methods

used are in qualitative and quantitative research. The experiment was conducted in Sunway

Pyramid during the 11th of January 2013 and Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus on the 15th of

January 2013 and . The number of attempts for male researcher is seven with only one success

while the number of attempt for female researcher is three with all three attempts successful.

Although the male researcher has more attempt but he only got 1 successful attempt, which

indicate the extreme difficulty for a male to pick up a girl. However, the opposite has a complete

different result. These results reflect that female is more caution and tense when approach by a

male. This is most probably the effect of a traditional mindset that female are more prone to the

danger and abuse.

Pickup Line

Courtship between male and female is a very complicated process. The first few minute of

the initial meeting is said to be the deciding factor of the future development of that particular

relationship. Nowadays, pickup lines are used widely as ice breaker with unfamiliar people of

romantic interest. Pickup lines are phrases used as conversation opener with the intent of

engaging the unfamiliar person for romance. Pickup lines are used to advertise the wit and humor

of the speakers to their target listeners. Basically, they are used to leave a good first impression

and to attract the listener’s attention. In short, pickup lines are a form of persuasion. (Fiona

Macrae, 2010)

Movies often depict the effectiveness of pickup lines with handsome actors. This

experiment is set up to test the effectiveness of pickup lines. The selected pickup lines are used

on both male and female target participants. The effectiveness of pickup lines is shown through

the percentage of success which is calculated from the number of successful attempts and the

number of overall attempts.

This research is aimed to investigate the success percentage of a male and a female

researcher using the same pickup line. The researchers’ mission is to use the chosen pickup lines

to obtain the participants’ phone number. A success is determined by the obtainment of a phone

number. Both researchers are to conduct at the same place during the same time. Then success

percentage for both genders is then compared for analysis.

METHOD

Participant:

There are a total of 10 participants in this experiment, 7 female and 3 male. The

participants are strangers walking in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall. The participants

may be alone or in a group. There local participants and foreign participants. The

participants are mostly comprised of individuals that are currently single and age ranging

around 14 – 29 years old. The participants are selected randomly by the researcher that

will initiate the conversation.

Apparatus/Material:

Camera

The experiment involves covert observation. A DSLR camera is set up at fixed spot from

a distance. The camera is roughly covered up to blend into the environment. A

cameraman is stationed beside the camera to adjust the camera position whenever the

researcher approaches a participant.

Voice Recorder

A voice recording application is installed in the researcher’s smartphone. When the

researcher approaches the participant, the application is activated beforehand and

smartphone is carried in the researcher’s hand throughout the conversation.

Participant Information Letter

The Participant Information Letter is comprised a summarized information letter and two

consent letter. The letter is given to the participant after the experiment end. The letter

introduces the participant to the research and contains the researcher’s contact in case the

participant needs to contact the research team. One consent letter is to be kept by the

participant and another is to be kept by the researcher.

Record sheet

The record sheet records the simple observation that is observed during the set up

conversation. The data recorded are participant’s body orientation, length of

conversation, participant’s company size.

PROCEDURE

Three pickup lines were chosen for the suggested experiment: You remind me of a

magnet because you sure are attracting me over here; I thought happiness starts with an H, why

does mine starts with U; I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met because I wouldn’t forget a pretty

face like that. A male and female researcher was elected to initiate a conversation with the

targeted participant using the chosen pickup lines to obtain the participant’s phone number.

A camera was set up in a corner and partially covered up to avoid attention from the

passersby and to obscure the camera from the participant’s point of view. The intention of setting

up the camera was to record the whole experiment for proof. The body orientation of the

participant, length of the conversation between the researcher and participant, and the

participant’s company size will be recorded as well by another fellow researcher. Besides that, a

phone with audio recording app will be present on the researcher’s body as he/she is approaching

the targeted participant.

Upon starting the audio recording app, the researcher will hold the phone in his/her hand

and will initiate the participants using one of the three pickup lines. Once the conversation ends,

the researcher will signal the other fellow researchers to debrief the participant. The Participant

Information Letter is given to the participant and the researchers’ copy of the consent letter is

signed and separated.

Result

Female

No Age Status Body Orientation

(Facing/Sideway)

Conversation

Length (min)

Company size

(Group/Solo)

Response

(Y/N)

1 23 Single Sideway 5 Solo Y

2 14 Single Facing 2 Group N

3 22 Single Facing 3 Solo N

4 29 Single Sideway 6 Solo N

5 18 Single Sideway 3 Solo N

6 19 Single Sideway 4 Solo N

7 18 Single Sideway 6 Solo N

Table 1:

Male

No Age Status Body Orientation

(Facing/Sideway)

Conversation

Length (min)

Company size

(Group/Solo)

Response

(Y/N)

1 18 Single Sideway 5 Solo Y

2 17 Single Facing 2 Group Y

3 19 Single Facing 3 Solo Y

Table 2:

Age

Female:

Figure 1: Graph of no. of participant against age for female

Mean: 20.42857

Mode: 18

Median: 19

The participants are selected randomly, thus the graph illustrates a random line with the date

scatter unevenly throughout the range of age (refer to figure 1). This graph also records the range

of age for single female in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall as our target participants are single

individuals. Single female ages in the range of 14 – 19 years old.

Male:

Figure 2: graph of no. of participant against age for male

Mean: 18

Mode: -

Median: 18

According to the data collected, the range of age for single male is 17 – 19. In other words, most

of the male in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall are not single (Refer to figure 2). This reflects

that male seldom visit a shopping complex when he is single. This was an unexpected situation

causing our research to be lack of data on the male.

Body Orientation

Female:

Figure 3:

Mode: Sideways

Most female participants were facing sideways, not facing the male researcher as the experiment

was ongoing (refer to figure 3). This shows the female participants’ lack of attention and interest

in the researcher. The cause is unknown, most likely due to busy modern lifestyle and the

awareness of minimize unnecessary interaction with strangers.

Male:

Figure 4:

Mode: Facing

Most male participants were facing the female researcher while the experiment was ongoing

(refer to figure 4).The male population in the Sunway pyramid Shopping Mall is not bound with

busy schedule. Compared to the female participants, male are more likely to pay more attention

to the opposite sex.

Conversation Length

Female:

Figure 5: Graph of frequency against min. of conversation length for female

Mean: 4.14286 minute

Mode: 3, 6 minute

Median: 4 minute

In an average, the male participant will have a 4 minute conversation with the female

experimenter(refer to figure 5).This also reflects the length of conversation a male is most likely

to have with the speaker when a pickup line is being used, which is roughly 4 minutes.

Male:

Figure 6:graph of frequency against min of conversation length for male

Mean: 3 minute

Mode: 3.3333 minute

Median: 3 minute

In an average, the female participant will have a 3 minute conversation with the male

experimenter. This also reflects the length of conversation a female is most likely to have with

the speaker when a pickup line is being used, which is roughly 3 minutes (refer to figure 6).

Compared to the female, the male are taking a shorter time to end a conversation because male

are more straightforward.

Company size

Female:

Figure 7:

Most targeted female participants are not in groups, but alone. This is due to girls in group are

more intimidating and there are other distraction which make it hard for the researcher to

approach (refer to figure 7).Alone individuals is easier to initiate a conversation and there is most

unlikely less unrelated thought in her mind so it is easier to attract her attention.

Male:

Figure 8:

Most targeted male participants are not in groups, but alone. The reasoning for this situation is

the same as the female participant’s situation. Groups are more intimidating and distracting so it

is harder to focus on one target (refer to figure 8).

Response

Female:

Figure 9: graph of no. of participant against response for female

The ratio of the response is 6 No to 1. According to the data collected, the calculated percentage

of success in picking up girls is 14.2%. Although the number of attempts is higher, the number of

successful attempt and the success percentage is relatively lower (refer to figure 9).This indicates

that the female are less likely to give out their phone number and it is harder for male pickups a

girl.

Male:

Figure 10: graph of no. of participant against response for male

The ratio of response is 3 yes to 0 no. According to the data collected, the calculated percentage

of success in picking up boys is 100%. This is a surprising high result but it is not accurate

because they are insufficient date collected (refer to figure 10). Nevertheless, this indicates that

the male are more willing to give out their phone number and it is easier for a female to pick up

the opposite sex.

Discussion

The hypothesis for the effectiveness of pickup lines was supported: female researcher is

more successful than male researcher in obtaining the male participant’s phone number. Overall,

the effectiveness of pickup lines in this sample shows that there were more successful attempts

on the female side of the researcher via verbal pickup. The confidence and comfort in

approaching with a participant for their phone number using verbal communication is higher.

Pickup lines are used to show the humorous side to the targeted participants. In the current

sample, female researcher has longer conversation length but sideway body orientation. The rates

of successful attempts were in the expected range.

The result is similar to the predicted result in the hypothesis. A person will feel insecure

when a stranger approaches him/her spontaneously. However, there are common stereotype that

female has a more fragile image then male. When approach by a female, the male participant is

more likely to loosen his psychological guard, thus a male is more generous to give the phone

number. They become careless and ignorance of the little details. So, the result is similar with the

hypothesis. In contrary, a male has the stereotype of being a violent figure. Male also occupied

more population of criminals worldwide. When a female participant is approach by a male, she

instantly feels a sense of false danger and strengthens her psychological guard even when there is

an obvious hint of a deception. Instead getting angry when being pickup, most female

participants describe the experience as scary. Fear is the immediate reaction regardless of age.

The relationship between boys and girl is complicated. A female participant is easier to

have a conversation with but not necessarily easier to get her phone number, even if she is

smiling. Girls are more likely to give fake emotion that is not actually felt. Boys are more

straightforward with their reaction. The main limitation for this experiment is both of the

researchers are not experienced and comfortable enough to pick up the participant. Besides, the

population of the venue is not enough during the experiment day. Moreover, the camera is hard

to be hidden and break the deception of the experiment. The experiment can be executed at a

higher population venue. So, the probability of pick-up success rate will increase.

In conclusion, female researcher are more successful in obtaining the male participant’s

phone number than male researcher in obtaining the female participant phone.

Reference

Scott Barry Kaufman(2012,august). Psychology Today(Online).Beautiful Minds.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201208/the-cognitive-psychology-

pick-lines-0

Lewandowski, G. W., Jr., Ciarocco, N. J., Potentate, M. & Stephan, J. (2012). Pick me up:

Ego depletion and receptivity to relationship initiation. Journal of Social and Personal

Relationships.

Dr. Gary Lewandowski (2012). Science Of Relationship (online). When Are Pick Up Lines Most

Effective?  

http://www.scienceofrelationships.com/home/2012/8/23/when-are-pick-up-lines-most-

effective.html

Shajila Siricilla(2013).Divine Caroline(online). Time Brings Maturity, Changing Attitudes.

http://www.divinecaroline.com/self/self-discovery/time-brings-maturity-changing-attitudes

McLeod, S. A. (2008). Prejudice and Discrimination. Retrieved from

http://www.simplypsychology.org/prejudice.html