A new study in sociology reveals that many young adults feel uncertain about who to date. Researchers found that over half of young people surveyed feel unsure about choosing a life partner. Interestingly, women seem more likely than men to feel confused about selecting a partner.
The study suggests social media and online dating play a big role. These platforms give people more options for potential partners than ever before. However, popular dating apps and the ability to edit photos easily can make it hard to see the true picture of who’s out there for dating.
“Human mate selection is a complicated psychological process, which is effectively influenced by multiple societal factors including appearance, personality and financial situation,” explained Chayan Munshi, who heads the Ethophilia Research Foundation in Santiniketan, India.
Digital transformation influencing human behavior
The Ethophilia Research Foundation, specializing in behavioral biology and public health, has begun studying how society’s digital transformation is influencing human behavior.
“This project started with extensive observation of human behavioral patterns regarding partner choice,” says Munshi. “This observational study was followed by direct interactions with a young population using an open questionnaire.”
Initial findings from this ongoing project are based on a survey of young adults in India, primarily aged between 18 and 30 years old. Further analysis is currently underway, with plans for an expanded survey that will look into more specific areas of inquiry.
The survey included questions about choosing romantic partners, like:
- “Do you feel confused when selecting a life-partner?”
- “What are your criteria for selecting a life-partner?”
- “Do you still look for other partners if you are already in a stable relationship?”
- “Do you like to switch to a ‘better option’ when selecting a life-partner?”
Younger generations prioritize the adrenaline rush of relationships
Munshi said that these initial findings suggest people’s perceptions of available partners might influence how they assess their options even when they’re already in relationships.
“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,” he says. “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.”
Munshi pointed out that the observed pattern indicates a noticeable change in how young individuals are selecting their partners, which could have significant effects on the relationship between brain function and behavior.
Moreover, over time, this shift may alter the fundamental strategies humans use in evolutionary mating.