Study reveals the twisted way incels view dating – and why they have so much less success

Incels – involuntarily celibate – are men who form their identity around their perceived inability to have romantic relationships with women.

They are a dark and depraved online community of young heterosexual men who blame society and women for their lack of success in intimacy.

Some commentators have suggested that one of the reasons why incels fail in the dating world is that they rate women too highly and are unrealistic about the caliber of potential partner they will attract.

however, the first official investigation into incel mating psychology has proposed dthis is not the case.

Researchers at the University of Texas found that self-identified incels actually make fewer demands on potential female suitors than men who are not in the group.

Another interesting finding was that incels probably had a shorter height. Research shows that women are more likely to be attracted to men who are larger than average, which could contribute to the feelings of rejection that incels are known to harbor.

Being depressed, paranoid and anxious make men more likely to become incels, according to previous research from the University of Rome. Attachment styles that cause clingy behavior and fear of rejection are also predictors of hatred toward women, they found

Participants stated that their “norms” are required for dating – measured by scores out of 10 in 15 categories. Incels reported lower standards for a partner than non-incels

Incels – many of whom advocate violence and rape against women – have been responsible for a growing number of terrorist attacks in recent years.

In May this year, self-described incel Mauricio Garcia, 33, shot and killed eight people outside a mall in Allen, Texas.

Garcia posted incel content on a Russian website that contained multiple references to encouraging violence against women, including rape and murder. One message opened with the line: “I hate women.”

Elliot Rodger, who killed six people in a gun and knife attack in California in 2014, posted a video shortly before the atrocity in which he complained at the age of 22 that he was a virgin and that he had never kissed a girl.

He also published a 141-page document detailing his deep-seated hatred of women, saying he could not understand why they would not have sex with him.

In the latest study, 319 men were recruited via social media.

Of the men, on average 29 years old, 139 told researchers they were incels.

Most surprising were the relatively low standards of the incels.

On average, the incels were willing to settle for below-average ratings on 12 of 15 traits – from facial attractiveness, to sexual ability, to intelligence.

In the study, published in The Journal of Sex Research last month, participants had to choose a minimum score between one and 10 that a person would have to meet on 15 characteristics before they could consider the person a “potential long-term romantic partner.”

Elliot Rodger (pictured left) was 22 when he shot and killed six people in a mass shooting at a college dorm in 2014. He carried out the shooting because he was frustrated that he was still a virgin. In May this year, Mauricio Garcia, 33, shot and killed eight people outside a mall in Allen, Texas

The researchers made no suggestions as to why the incels have lower-than-average demands for romantic interests.

However, commentators have previously noted that, despite the bravado, incels are characteristically insecure.

This can result in the belief that they are not worthy of the most successful and beautiful women.

Researchers also asked the men why they thought they had been so unlucky in love.

The results showed that the incel group was more likely than the others attribute their singleness to external reasons, such as competition from other men.

Incels’ responses suggested that they were more likely than others to assume that they were inferior.

The findings also revealed striking differences in what incels consider attractive to women, compared to other men.

The disturbed group placed more importance on physical attractiveness and financial prospects, and underestimated women’s desire for intelligence, kindness and humor.