Deciding on Quality VS Quantity – In the World of Online Dating
The Paradox of Choice – Why MORE may be resulting in LESS
Barry Schwartz, a U.S. psychologist, powerfully sums up the challenges faced when choosing a romantic partner in today’s world. Schwartz’s 2004 novel outlines that people often assume, more choices gives you more opportunity. This idea is flawed — especially in the world of dating. Schwartz suggests we should opt for being Satisficers making “good enough” choices which will lead to happier lives, as opposed to being Maximizers who need to exhaust all choices before making a decision. Maximizers are usually left feeling doubtful about their choice even after having made one.
Paralysis: One Of the Core Concepts of the Paradox Choice
As matchmakers at Divine Intervention, our job is to reverse the paralysis current and prospective clients experience during the matchmaking and dating process.
The selection of CHOICE can often lead a person into feeling indecisive and paralyzed. A person may feel overwhelmed on whether to go exclusive with someone, or continue exploring their options. Dating online has opened the doors for thousands of people within close proximity to be matched. This huge selection of choice however makes it difficult for people to STOP dating around, in fear they might miss out on meeting the right person.
Classic example of The Paradox of Choice is when our team does date feedback follow up to see how our client enjoyed the date we set them up on:
“I really loved meeting John, he is just about everything I am looking for; however, I would still like to continue to meet your next match for me.”
This demonstrates symptoms of a Maximizer –
Although satisfied, she does not want to make a firm decision to stop meeting other people. She is solely hanging on to the idea that there are other bachelor(s) out there to be met, and will move onto the next in hopes that next match may be just be “The Perfect Match”
Perfection doesn’t exist however – Maximizers believe that if there are so many choices out there, then they need not to settle for anything but perfection. This process is exhausting and disappointment is likely to arise.
3 ways Divine Intervention is trying to reverse the Paradox of Choice for our clients:
- Providing a select amount of introductions of higher quality to our clients;
- Providing varied lengths of membership, for time to get to know their matches without the burnout and without feeling the need to dismiss and move onto the next match quickly;
- Guiding clients out of the Maximizer mentality by educating them on their patterns and deciding collectively to make a shift in thinking towards “less is more” when it comes to dating and that it’s not always just a “numbers game”
Tired, confused and feeling like you’re just a number? Email info@divinematchmaking.com and find out how we help you do dating differently.
Want to know more on The Paradox of Choice? Check out Barry Schwartz’s Ted Talk here