Summary: Researchers examined the effects of playing hard to get, a mating strategy that is likely to instill a certain degree of uncertainty. In a new study they show that making the chase harder increases a potential mates desirability.

What exactly is playing hard to get?

Playing hard-to-get means youre not escalating or de-escalating the effort. For instance, youre sitting there and playing with your phone — phubbing — not paying full attention to the other person and making them struggle to get your attention.