Dating algorithms? Investigating the reciprocal relationships between partner choice FOMO, decision fatigue, excessive swiping, and trust in algorithms on dating apps

Autor(en)
Alice Binder, Anja Stevic, Jörg Matthes, Marina Frederike Thomas
Abstrakt

Dating apps have changed the way people establish contact with potential romantic partners. However, more and more dating apps use algorithms to keep their users’ engagement high. Studies suggest that trust in algorithms can shape offline dating experiences. We theorize that excessive swiping, driven by fear of missing out, predicts trust. We also explore the role of decision fatigue. Findings from a two-wave panel study with N

Time2  = 521 young dating app users suggest that the fear of missing out on potential romantic partners was positively related to decision fatigue on dating apps. Moreover, excessive swiping and decision fatigue were positively related to trust in algorithms. No reciprocal effects of trust in algorithms on excessive swiping or decision fatigue were observed. It seems that trust in algorithms might present some kind of relief strategy for compulsive behaviors such as excessively swiping, or for negative feelings such as decision fatigue.

Organisation(en)
Institut für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft
Externe Organisation(en)
Stanford University, Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften
Journal
New Media & Society
Band
27
Seiten
6396-6415
Anzahl der Seiten
20
ISSN
1461-4448
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448241270542
Publikationsdatum
06-2024
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ÖFOS 2012
508007 Kommunikationswissenschaft
Schlagwörter
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Communication, Sociology and Political Science
Link zum Portal
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/d2aff598-bbfc-48ef-980a-56328276bb94