New survey reveals social media leaves modern singles baffled over dating decisions

Researchers have claimed the prevalence and exposure of social media and online dating have left young daters feeling puzzled when it comes to their dating decisions.

A new report published by Ethophilia Research Foundation suggested more than 50% of young people have an unclear picture of picking partners, with women reportedly feeling more confused than men. 

Chayan Munshi, Founder and Executive Director of the Ethophilia Research Foundation, said: “Human mate selection is a complicated psychological process, which is effectively influenced by multiple societal factors including appearance, personality and financial situation. 

“More recently, this has become significantly influenced by social media, where constant exposure to sexually stimulating or attractive content creates certain perceptions of reality in the young mindset, which ultimately creates confusion in terms of selecting potential mating partners.”

The India-based research group conducted an open questionnaire survey of young adults in India, mostly aged between 18-30, which they are expected to present at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference this month.

Early results show strong indications of impulsiveness and decreasing face-to face interactions are causing people’s dating judgements to be obscured, even while in existing relationships. 

Mr Munshi said: “Our hypothesis strongly indicates that the ‘pleasure index’ or ‘adrenaline rush’ of relationships is taking more prime importance in the younger generation over long-term stability. 

“It is alarming that impulsiveness or confusion can lead to instability in the human relation-maintaining behavior, which is actually affecting the normal social behavior in humans.”

“The pattern now is notable enough to indicate that this might modify the social norms of partner choice behaviour in young humans, which might have a significant effect on the brain-behaviour circuit.”

Further analysis of the results is underway, with an expanded survey in preparation to include more specific lines of inquiry. Mr Munshi expects that this ongoing research will help to build a better understanding of how mate selection is evolving in humans.