Ambiguity now defines modern dating for 74 percent of women.

A growing share of women now describe their dating experiences as relationship-like arrangements without commitment, according to a 2025 MyIQ survey that identifies a marked rise in what respondents call "low-effort" behaviours. 62% of women said they had been in at least one situationship, while 74% reported that ambiguity had become standard within early-stage relationships. The findings, drawn from a nationally representative sample of women aged 18-45, suggest a cultural pattern rather than an isolated frustration.

The MyIQ data indicate that these behaviours occur unevenly across gender lines. 57% of men reported using at least one low-effort tactic in the past year, compared with 29% of women. Ghosting was experienced by 68% of women, while 41% of men acknowledged ghosting someone. Breadcrumbing was reported by 54% of women as something they had encountered and by 38% of men as something they had done. The figures portray an ecosystem where ambiguity is intentionally deployed and frequently rewarded.

MyIQ analysis frames this shift as part of a broader transformation in digital-era courtship, where choice overload and algorithm-driven exposure have altered not just how people connect, but how they manage emotional risk. The norms governing early relationships have evolved faster than expectations, creating a landscape where ambiguity functions as a strategic behaviour rather than a passive failure of communication.

The psychological effects are measurable. 49% of women said they had emotionally withdrawn from dating after experiencing a situationship, and 37% said they delayed exclusivity conversations to avoid destabilising a tenuous connection. MyIQ insights suggest that repeated exposure to these dynamics leads to regulatory fatigue, where users report declining motivation to initiate or sustain new connections.

The framing of these behaviours as low-effort and disproportionately enacted by men reflects clear asymmetries in the data. MyIQ findings do not impute motive but document frequency and impact. Ambiguity, in this context, imposes a higher emotional and cognitive burden on women, who often manage uncertainty through self-regulation rather than confrontation. The result is a behavioural ecosystem in which clarity is increasingly scarce and often devalued.

According to MyIQ, these patterns signal more than a dating trend; they reflect structural pressures on how individuals balance intimacy with autonomy. When communication norms remain undefined, ambiguity becomes a default that distorts emotional logistics. From a cognitive perspective, this sustained uncertainty undermines attention, trust, and emotional pacing, core components of relational resilience.

About MyIQ:
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.

Media Contact:
MyIQ
pr@myiq.com
Sophie de Villiers
PR Manager