This article discusses online dating, and how it has become the new norm. Sociologists for the eHarmoney site have design “algorithms” to determine personality types in order to match an individual with another. Many other sites use anthropologists and psychologists to help determine the best match for individuals. These websites help professors and specialists to use their theories out in the field. The website eHarmony is focused on research of heterosexual partners, so the basis of the algorithm is also based on that fact as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/science/29tier.html?_r=1&ref=sociology
--from Mindy.
thanks to http://www.onlinedatinganxiety.com/eharmony-online-dating-service/ for the graphic
I was intrigued by this announcement from eHarmony: http://www.eharmony.com/press/release/19
ReplyDeleteEspecially by the sentence, "growing portfolio of eHarmony brands"... Sounds like online dating services have become quite profitable in certain niche markets!
Online Dating... was this a taboo at one point? It seems to be to be a well accepted way of meeting people now. In a sociological sense, social media is changing the way we interact and form relationships with one another. From a symbolic point of view, it gives people more control over their performances. Before you make a first impression in person, you have the option to manipulate EXACTLY what the other person can learn about you. This lowers the chance of the person of your dreams being confused by a botched performance. I'm not saying people lie on the internet (oh wait, yes they do), but it certainly makes it easier to highlight the positives and downplay the negatives. What does this do to relationships then, when we wield new power to control our performances? Society couldn't exist without a botched performance here and there... And then there's the whole capitalist thing. Can we still have faith in finding true love when people are just out to make a buck?
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