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News article

Date: 09. March 2017

Lower Standards:
Singles and Online Dating

According to scientists, the rise of online dating (both sides and apps) has also contributed to what they call a "lowering of standards". Apparently there are a number of different reasons for this phenomenon!

A study was done on 42,000 people who dated online and were willing to take part. According to the results, it was discovered that many people in general were quite happy to initiate contact with potential partners who otherwise didn’t even match any of the “chosen preferences” in a partner that they would’ve liked.

Carried out in Australia, the age range of participants went from 18 to 80. Preferences such as eye and hair colour, body type, education, political views, religion and personality were all asked.

Two thirds of those who participated, however, would begin chatting with those who met only one or even none of the criteria that they set out. Fewer than 10 per cent of those who initiated conversations with someone were doing so with someone who match four or even more of these traits.

One of the study’s co-authors, Stephen Whyte of Queensland University of Technology stated that “People are more than happy to initiate contact with potential love interests that bear no resemblance whatsoever to ‘Mr or Mrs Perfect’.”

According to researchers, it is due to the fact that many people are “lowering their standards” to increase their changes when it comes to getting sex or love in a short space of time.

Jo Hemmings, a dating coach and behavioural psychologist, told the Times: “A fair number of my clients have ended up with someone they would definitely not have considered their type via online dating.

Dating coach Jo Hemmings (also a behavioural psychologist) said to the Times: “A fair number of my clients have ended up with someone they would definitely not have considered their type via online dating.”

“Not only are online daters less selective than they initially say but... they’re less picky than before online dating. That’s because it’s not possible to tell as much from a dating profile as when you strike up conversation in a bar... so people are more likely to give others the benefit of the doubt.”

 

Source: The Evening Standard
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