2024-07-07 20:22:34
A study reveals that a new phenomenon has recently emerged that makes it difficult for people to find “the right person”, reports Mail Online, BTA reported.
Researchers have found that young people suffer from so-called “social media confusion” caused by dating platforms and apps.
The sites increase temptation and desire for a new partner, which makes people less likely to stick around for long, researchers say.
In addition, consumers are exposed to more attractive and wealthy people than ever before, which skews their expectations of a potential mate.
The team hypothesizes that people between the ages of 18 and 30 already value “pleasure” over long-term stability.
A person’s choice of a partner is a complex psychological process that is effectively influenced by many social factors, including appearance, character and financial situation – says Chayan Munshi, scientific leader of the study.
The pool of available partners has grown to extraordinary levels, with an estimated 60 million people in the U.S. using online dating platforms as of March, out of a total of 117 million people currently single.
The new study was presented at the annual conference of the Society for Experimental Biology in Prague this week.
In the survey, participants were asked questions including: “Do you feel confused when choosing a life partner?”, “What are your criteria for choosing a life partner?”, “Are you still looking for other partners if you have already are you in a stable relationship?’ and ‘Do you like to jump to ‘better option’ when choosing a life partner?’
Women say they feel more confused when looking for a partner than men.
In general, people’s uncertainty about who to actually date confounds their ability to choose the “right” partner.
Those who are already in a relationship often download a dating app just to see other options. “It favors impulsivity at the expense of establishing a stable relationship,” says Munshi.
What’s more, the increase in access to sexually stimulating or attractive content has distorted what people expect from a potential partner – including their appearance, personality and financial status.
With the advancement of artificial intelligence and filters, people are altering their photos to make themselves look better than others – with smoother skin, luscious hair and other alluring qualities.
This “creates distorted perceptions of reality in young people, which ultimately leads to confusion about choosing potential life partners,” says Munshi.
However, the study authors clarified that further research is needed to better understand how societal attitudes make young people feel pressured into the world of online dating.
The results show that the “pleasure index” or “adrenaline rush” of relationships has become more important than long-term stability, which can affect young people’s mental health, the study authors concluded.