Key Ideas
Dating Apps
- An example of technology and human relationships is the existence of dating apps.
- 3 in 10 Americans have used a dating app, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.
Note
There are also cultural differences in the way dating apps are used.
- In America, information on hobbies and personality was most common, meanwhile in China it was more related to financial status and education.
- In America, people often sign up for dating apps themselves, whereas in other cultures, parents may make dating app profiles for their children.
Artificial Intelligence
- More and more people are incorporating AI into the dating app experience, for example, to formulate the first message to a potential match.
- AI may not be very good at sensitive communication texts, but it can help make sense of a break up and come up the right way to communicate a boundary.
- According to Wu & Kelly (2020), when AI was used in a dating profile, it did not influence ratings of attractiveness but decreased ratings of trust.
Case study
Holtzhausen et al. (2020)
Aim
Does incorporating technology into human relationships affect mental health outcomes?
Method
An online survey to measure dating app use and rates of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and stress.
Results
- Dating apps had a positive impact on self-esteem among participants.
- Dating apps had a negative impact on depression, anxiety, and stress.
Link to Concepts
- Responsibility: Investing relationships is incredibly personal and may be distressing to share, so researchers should ensure participants are not unnecessarily stressed.
- Change: Technology is changing how we engage in relationships, so the aims of studies need to change to adapt to the ever-evolving world.
