by In the ever-expanding world of online dating, finding a partner can often feel overwhelming. With countless options available, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of profiles and messages. However, new research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that those seeking love may have a higher chance of success if they also seek a sense of purpose in life.
The study, conducted by researcher Isabella D’Ottone in the lab of Patrick Hill, associate professor of psychological and brain sciences, explores how a sense of purpose can impact the way others perceive dating app profiles. The research suggests that profiles that convey a sense of purpose are rated higher on various scales of attractiveness compared to profiles that lack a sense of purpose.
According to D’Ottone, individuals with a higher sense of purpose are considered to be more romantically attractive. This finding supports previous research conducted by Gabrielle Pfund, which suggests that a sense of purpose is also associated with maintaining better long-term relationships. D’Ottone’s study sought to build upon Pfund’s research and delve deeper into the connection between purpose and attraction.
To conduct the study, D’Ottone and her team created four categories of sense of purpose: prosocial orientation, relationship orientation, financial orientation, and creative orientation. They then developed four dating profiles to match each category, along with five control profiles that indicated no sense of purpose. The researchers recruited 119 participants who were asked to read and rank the nine fake profiles based on various measures of attractiveness.
The results revealed that participants consistently rated purpose-driven profiles higher than those lacking a sense of purpose. Additionally, individuals were more attracted to profiles that aligned with their own purpose orientation. For example, those with a creative purpose were drawn to profiles that emphasized creativity and originality. However, profiles with a focus on financial success did not rate as high compared to the other categories of purpose, unless the participants themselves were financially motivated.
While physical attraction is certainly a factor in romantic attraction, the study suggests that having a sense of direction in life is equally important. Hill emphasizes that knowing someone has a purpose matters in fostering attraction and building relationships. The research indicates that people are intuitively drawn to individuals with a sense of purpose, whether they are consciously aware of it or not.
This finding could have implications for the design of dating apps. Currently, most dating apps include prompts and ice-breakers to initiate conversations. However, incorporating a purpose-driven component into these prompts could enhance the matching process and potentially lead to more meaningful connections.
D’Ottone notes that seeking a sense of purpose in life is not about faking a passion or interest for something. Instead, it’s about finding love in unexpected places by pursuing one’s passions. By chasing personal interests and goals, individuals may stumble upon someone who shares their sense of purpose along the way.
In conclusion, while the world of online dating can be overwhelming, finding love may be easier when coupled with a sense of purpose. This research highlights the importance of having direction and meaning in life, as it plays a significant role in attracting potential romantic partners. So, if you’re looking for love, don’t forget to also find your true purpose.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
