Theory of PickUp Lines
General Purpose: Opening lines, or pick-up lines, are used to initiate romantic communication.
Specific Purpose: These lines are different types of conversation starters that vary in effectiveness but aim to break the ice when first meeting a potential romantic partner.
Key terms, concepts, and definitions:
There are three categories of opening lines:
1) Cute-flippant lines: Humorous or cheesy attempts to initiate conversation that are usually considered cliched. An example is: “Are you tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.” Research has shown that cute-flippant lines are the least effective opening lines but are the most commonly used. This may be because they appear widely in film entertainment, and this provides occasional reinforcement that they are effective. People may fall back on these cliches when under pressure, through a lack of social skills, or for fear of rejection.
2) Direct lines: Blunt or straightforward attempts to initiate conversation, such as, “Do you want to get dinner with me?” Men tend to prefer these direct opening lines because they get to the point.
3) Innocuous lines: More casual or vague comments that initiate conversation in an unobtrusive manner. An example is being asked: “Have you tried the new flavor? I’m trying to decide if I should,” while in line at Starbucks. These opening lines are the safest because they put no pressure on either party, but they are also the most ambiguous. Innocuous comments can protect the asker from rejection, because the line can be played off as ‘just being friendly.’ Research shows that both genders believe innocuous opening lines are the best for initiating relationships.
What does the theory do? Opening lines describe the ways initial romantic communication is attempted, and research into the effectiveness of different types of lines shed light on how you should go about starting a conversation with someone you are interested in.
Where can it be applied? These lines can be used whenever you want to approach a possible romantic partner to initiate conversation. Pick-up lines can be used anywhere, not just in bars. Males and females can both utilize opening lines.
Summary source:
Levine, T.R., G. King III, and J.K. Popoola.(1994) Ethnic and gender differences in opening lines. Communication Research Reports 11 (2), 143-151. doi: 10.1080/08824099409359952
Exemplar articles:
Kleinke, C.L., F.B. Meeker, and R.A. Staneski. (1986) Preference for opening lines: Comparing ratings by men and women. Sex Roles 15 (11/12), 585-600. doi: 10.1007/BF00288216
Weber, K., A.K. Goodboy, and J.L. Cayanus. (2010) Flirting competence: An experimental study on appropriate and effective opening lines. Communication Research Reports 27 (2), 184-191. doi: 10.1080/08824091003738149
Specific Purpose: These lines are different types of conversation starters that vary in effectiveness but aim to break the ice when first meeting a potential romantic partner.
Key terms, concepts, and definitions:
There are three categories of opening lines:
1) Cute-flippant lines: Humorous or cheesy attempts to initiate conversation that are usually considered cliched. An example is: “Are you tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.” Research has shown that cute-flippant lines are the least effective opening lines but are the most commonly used. This may be because they appear widely in film entertainment, and this provides occasional reinforcement that they are effective. People may fall back on these cliches when under pressure, through a lack of social skills, or for fear of rejection.
2) Direct lines: Blunt or straightforward attempts to initiate conversation, such as, “Do you want to get dinner with me?” Men tend to prefer these direct opening lines because they get to the point.
3) Innocuous lines: More casual or vague comments that initiate conversation in an unobtrusive manner. An example is being asked: “Have you tried the new flavor? I’m trying to decide if I should,” while in line at Starbucks. These opening lines are the safest because they put no pressure on either party, but they are also the most ambiguous. Innocuous comments can protect the asker from rejection, because the line can be played off as ‘just being friendly.’ Research shows that both genders believe innocuous opening lines are the best for initiating relationships.
What does the theory do? Opening lines describe the ways initial romantic communication is attempted, and research into the effectiveness of different types of lines shed light on how you should go about starting a conversation with someone you are interested in.
Where can it be applied? These lines can be used whenever you want to approach a possible romantic partner to initiate conversation. Pick-up lines can be used anywhere, not just in bars. Males and females can both utilize opening lines.
Summary source:
Levine, T.R., G. King III, and J.K. Popoola.(1994) Ethnic and gender differences in opening lines. Communication Research Reports 11 (2), 143-151. doi: 10.1080/08824099409359952
Exemplar articles:
Kleinke, C.L., F.B. Meeker, and R.A. Staneski. (1986) Preference for opening lines: Comparing ratings by men and women. Sex Roles 15 (11/12), 585-600. doi: 10.1007/BF00288216
Weber, K., A.K. Goodboy, and J.L. Cayanus. (2010) Flirting competence: An experimental study on appropriate and effective opening lines. Communication Research Reports 27 (2), 184-191. doi: 10.1080/08824091003738149