New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals an intriguing insight into the dating world: showing a sense of purpose in one’s life can make individuals more attractive on dating apps.
Conducted by Isabella D’Ottone under the guidance of Patrick Hill, an associate professor of psychological and brain sciences, the study suggests that profiles which display a clear sense of purpose are perceived as more appealing than those that do not.
D’Ottone’s research, which involved 119 participants evaluating nine fictional dating profiles, identified four categories of “sense of purpose” that could enhance a profile’s attractiveness: pro-social orientation (focusing on helping others), relationship orientation (prioritizing family and romantic partnerships), financial orientation (aiming for financial security), and creative orientation (valuing creativity and originality).
The study found that profiles aligned with a sense of purpose in any of these categories were generally rated higher in attractiveness compared to control profiles lacking a sense of purpose.
Interestingly, the appeal of financial orientation as a sense of purpose was less universal compared to the other categories.
It was mainly attractive to participants who also prioritized financial goals, suggesting that shared values play a significant role in perceived attractiveness.
This research not only sheds light on the factors that contribute to attractiveness on dating platforms but also underscores the importance of having and displaying a sense of direction in life.
Hill emphasizes that physical attraction is just one aspect of what draws people to each other; knowing that someone has a clear direction in life is also a critical factor.
The findings of this study highlight the potential for dating apps to incorporate elements that allow users to express their sense of purpose more explicitly.
According to D’Ottone, now a research associate at the University of Miami, the key takeaway is not to feign passion but to recognize that pursuing one’s genuine passions could serendipitously lead to finding a compatible partner.
This research contributes to the broader understanding of how a sense of purpose influences not just long-term relationship satisfaction, as demonstrated in Pfund’s earlier work, but also initial attraction.
It suggests that in the search for love, showcasing one’s goals and aspirations could be just as important as sharing hobbies or interests.
The research findings can be found in the International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology.
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