Psychology of Dating Apps: Here's What Happens to Your Brain When You Use Them

Dating apps have become a flourishing avenue for people to meet potential partners, but what exactly happens in the brain when people use these apps?

Brain Behavior When You Swipe

The thought that a perfect match could be just a swipe away can be quite irresistible. According to biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, who is a senior research fellow of Indiana University's Kinsey Institute, explains that the brain is ready to become addicted, especially when it comes to love. The biological anthropologist notes that these dating apps are selling the greatest prize of life.

Elias Aboujaoude, a clinical psychiatry professor from Stanford University, explains that dating apps offer a rush to users when they receive a match or like. While the mechanisms at play remain unclear, the professor thinks that a reward pathway that is similar to dopamine could be at work. He notes that dopamine is known to be involved in several addictive processes. There is also data that suggests that the neurotransmitter can be involved in screen addiction.

However, the world of online dating still remains largely understudied. While the algorithms of companies are essentially matchmaking black boxes, there is also a scarcity of research regarding how users are affected by this. Aboujaoude explains that this matter is gravely understudied.

According to Amie Gordon, an assistant psychology professor from the University of Michigan, compatibility predictions remain a big mystery for relationship researchers. It remains unknown why some people end up together.

ALSO READ: People With Social Anxiety and Depression May Benefit From Dating Apps

Addictive Design

Similar to other social media platforms, there are reasons to think that dating apps want to retain user engagement. Kathryn Coduto, an assistant media science professor at Boston University, explains that dating apps are businesses with people who want to make money.

Match Group denies that their apps were made to profit from engagement over connection. A spokesperson of the company shares that they actively want to help people get on dates each day and off their apps.

Fisher, who is Match.com's longtime chief scientific adviser, says that the best thing for the business would be for users to find love through the company's services and tell their friends to try the app out as well.

Cheng Chen, an assistant communication design professor at Elon University, says that though certain algorithms are kept confidential, their design is not very natural. She notes swiping, for example, as it is more fun compared to tapping. This makes the entire process feel game-like.

She also notes that clever tactics are used in dating apps in order to urge users to return. These tactics include push notifications and random rewards. This keeps the brain excited since people cannot predict when a match comes.

Michael Rosenfeld, a sociology professor from Stanford, says that dating apps are quite true and useful toward their desired goal. He notes that each year, people are finding relationships and uninstalling the apps. Overall, these apps would not have any users if they weren't fostering any connections between real people.

Aboujaoude notes that there is a blurry line between what social media has done and what dating apps do. The psychiatry professor adds that people begin to depend on dating apps for superficial connection, self-esteem, and temporary mood boosts. However, it remains debatable whether such behavior can be considered true addiction.

Coduto expresses hesitancy to medically diagnose compulsive usage of dating apps. There is still no accepted and contextualized definition for addiction when it comes to social media. The latest version of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) also does not acknowledge social media or internet addiction as a mental illness.

Nevertheless, some addiction hallmarks are still present. These include compulsive checking and even withdrawal symptoms. Coduto notes that such behavior is more pronounced among individuals who battle loneliness and social anxiety. The professor's research has revealed that the interaction of the both emotional states could lead to compulsive use of dating apps.

Aboujaoude also observes that spending a couple of hours on these apps could be a coping mechanism for anxiety or depression. Though this may not be strictly classified as addiction, Aboujaoude notes that it still has marks of pathological behavior.

Experts also note that these apps could be more transparent with their algorithms and design interfaces that value authentic connection rather than instant gratification. Chen cites an example of an app issuing reminders that a user was swiped 50 times in the past five minutes. Such a feature would encourage the users to think about their behavior and be more conscious of the time they spend on these apps.