Online dating services don't work, scientists say
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A new study published in the upcoming issue of Psychological Science in the Public Interest is shedding light on the science - or lack thereof - behind online dating services. The psychological scientists who wrote the report hope to indentify how online dating might be hurting singles.
Co-written by Eli J. Finkel (Northwestern University), Paul W. Eastwick (Texas A & M University), Benjamin R. Karney (UCLA), Harry T. Reis (University of Rochester), and Susan Sprecher (Illinois State University), the report reviews over 400 psychology studies and surveys.
So, what's the problem?
Scientists worry that dating sites claim to use exclusive "matching algorithms," which may be nothing more than a guessing game.
"To date, there is no compelling evidence that any online dating matching algorithm actually works," Finkel said in a press release.
"If dating sites want to claim that their matching algorithm is scientifically valid, they need to adhere to the standards of science, which is something they have uniformly failed to do. In fact, our report concludes that it is unlikely that their algorithms can work, even in principle, given the limitations of the sorts of matching procedures that these sites use."
Examples of mysterious algorithms include that of eHarmony's - after a long questionnaire, the site sets you up on dates. You don't actually get to chose. OkCupid has a formula that matches people based on specific lifestyle questions. Chemistry matches people based on their personality type.
"Developers of matching algorithms have tended to focus on the information that is easy for them to assess, like similarity in personality and attitudes, rather than the information that relationship science has found to be crucial for predicting long-term relationship well-being. As a result, these algorithms are unlikely to be effective," said Finkel.
Is there really an algorithm for love, though? For as long as dating and relationships have existed, we've been trying to figure out a magic formula for love. Spoiler alert: It doesn't exist.
Shopping market of love
The scientists acknowledge that dating sites have their benefits - mainly, it enables singles to meet people quickly. But, going through so many online profiles may "overwhelm" daters. The researchers worry that searching for potential mates start to resemble shopping.
"For years, the online dating industry has ignored actual relationship science in favor of unsubstantiated claims and buzzwords, like 'matching algorithms,' that merely sound scientific," Finkel said.
There's no denying that online dating is here to stay. The business of matchmaking 2.0 is estimated to be worth $2.1 billion dollars. It's such a popular way for singles to meet that it only comes in second, after introductions through friends.
While the evidence is damning, it won't stop people from signing on to hook up. There is definitely an audience for quick access to hundreds of people online. Perhaps it's not the most effective way to meet your soul mate, but it is efficient for scooping up a dinner date.
Perhaps a meeting in the middle simply means a basic report card. In the report, Arthur Aron, psychological scientist at the State University of New York at Stony Brook suggests creating a panel to "grade the credibility" of dating sites.
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http://scienceofrelationships.squarespace.com/home/2012/2/28/evidence-to-support-a-valid-online-dating-matching-algorithm.html
http://scienceofrelationships.squarespace.com/home/2012/2/28/evidence-to-support-a-valid-online-dating-matching-algorithm.html
That said - great matches can happen. Personally I think that if people will let themselves truly open up to another person they are likely to make a match.
So many people really just lack the social skills to do this.
If you can open up enough in a comfortable space and then go to see if there is chemistry with someone you've already identified as sharing most of your values and likes the same thing then you are so close.
google me - YVR423 to see how I hope to help people make the approach.
An online site puts two people together. They like each other and decide to get married. The online site ignores the millions of other people who were set up with "matches" who DIDN'T "click", so you only ever hear about the success stories. If you are a "success story", IT'S CHANCE, NOT SCIENCE! And good for you.
For the overwhelming majority of people, it's a complete waste of time and money. In fact, you have a FAR better chance of running into someone you will share your life with randomly where you LIVE, than you do finding a "mate" online.
I tried online dating services. Both Match.com and eHarmony. eHaromony kept trying to set me up with other Christians because I'm a "spiritual person". I'm a PAGAN! A fundie Christian is like Satan to me, and I'm like Satan to them. We have diametrically opposed approaches to spirituality. Match.com seemed to set me up with anyone they thought was in my age and income bracket (the only criteria I could figure out was the same) as long as they were within 1000 miles of me.
Have you ever tried dating someone 1000 miles away?
My WIFE, who I found long after my horrific experience with online dating, is pagan, considerably younger than I am, becoming far more educated (at least on paper), and from all outward appearances has nothing at all in common with me. I found her in a Denney's restaurant (of all places) and although she was the last person in the world I would have thought I'd marry so late in life, I can't imagine being married to anyone else.
Online dating is flawed. The partnerships they so heavily promote as "success stories" are actually based on chances that are considerably less than random chance. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THEM!
Instead start talking to people around you. Who knows? You may be sitting behind the person of your dreams on your commute to work. Your chances of finding a mate there are better than the garbage you're sent through online dating services.
It's not the attraction that is the issue - it's the approach. It's just too loaded and too difficult for us frail humans to commit.
Check out our site if you are even remotely interested int he next thing in this industry!
Online dating services do work - the title is a lie.
Matching "technology" many not be scientific, but that would make for a boring story title.
This tabloid style BS shows how far CBS and other national news organizations have fallen. No wonder we get our news from bloggers.
What developed since then is ... well let me say that I wasted 16 years married to the wrong woman and now I can't imagine being married to someone other than my current wife, but then I imported her from mainland China.