Hi Mike et al. - eHarmony.com was founded by psychologist Neil Clark Warren, a former professor and Dean at Fuller Theological Seminary and, I believe, a Ph.D. student of Carl Rogers...Scott
________________________________________ From: Mike Palij [[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 8:36 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Cc: Mike Palij Subject: [tips] Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me A Match! There is an interesting little article in the NY Times about the "relationship" websites that have come into existence that try to match people on some criteria in the hopes that they form a long-lasting relationship. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/business/07stream.html?th&emc=th These websites are not geared toward personal ads for people seeking a date, rather, as might be expected, some of these websites use psychological testing or even biological testing for match-making. Consider: (1) ScientificMatch.com matches people up on the basis of genetic analysis, such as markers for the immune system as well as some defintively non-biological markers (e.g., criminal and bankruptcy check, verificiation of age and marital status, etc.) (2) Chemistry.com (a subsidiary of Match.com) has biological anthropologist Helen Fisher create a questionnaire about a person's traits and temperament. A quote from Fisher provides some insight into her views: |“If Helen Fisher can give you right off the bat individuals that your |brain is more likely to be attracted to,” she says, “so much the better.” Apparently, in matters of romance, one should focus on the brain and not the mind. Also, beware of people who refer to themselves in the third person. (3) eHarmony.com was developed by a psychologist (his name is not given in the article but he has appeared and been identified on eHarmony's TV commercials -- I don't remember it though) whose experience is in marriage counseling and tries to match people on the basis of self-reproted values, family background, and social styles. How successful are these services? That depends upon how one defines success. It is unclear how many "successful" long-term relationships have been created by these services but they do constitute about a $976 million annual industry, which many might consider to be quite successful. The article asks the question "are these two techniques at matching people better than the old ones or are they essentially similar in function?" Consider the following quote: |At the end of the day, however, it may be that the success of such |sites is attributable not so much to their proprietary methods as to |their choosy, self-selected members who don’t want to wink at and |woo the first person whose profile they read online. The sites attract |cohorts of people interested in slowing down the online dating and |mating process, in finding out more information about potential |partners — or in ruling out unlikely suitors — before they graduate |to the meet-and-greet stage. | |THE more advanced the partner prediction sites, the more they may |actually serve a more old-fashioned role. The sites provide background |details on a person’s family, education, aspirations, character, genetic |traits and general health of the type that was once public information |in farming or immigrant communities or even in hunter-gatherer societies, |Dr. Fisher says. | |Indeed, at least from the point of view of evolutionary science, you’d be |better off spending $50 — and more likely to find a mate — by using a |premium dating site than by dropping $50 on drinks in the uncertain |waters of singles bars. -Mike Palij New York University [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13509.d0999cebc8f4ed4eb54d5317367e9b2f&n=T&l=tips&o=382 or send a blank email to leave-382-13509.d0999cebc8f4ed4eb54d5317367e9...@fsulist.frostburg.edu This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments). --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=387 or send a blank email to leave-387-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
