What dating apps can tell us about why we fall in love

Claire Stott, data analyst for dating app Badoo, on how the internet has changed love

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The purpose of love is a matter of some debate among psychologists, and precisely how and why people fall in love is still not entirely clear. So what do scientists know about romantic attraction? Well, contrary to popular belief, researchers are aligned in saying that opposites don’t generally attract. Rather, we tend to experience love with people who share our values and outlook on life and who are of similar age and attractiveness. Research also suggests that love tends to require reciprocation (obviously) and that it is most successful when our social circles are accepting of the relationship.

Why dating apps present a problem

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