Dating apps like Tinder affect relationships and the economics of desire

In recent years, it has become commonplace to see people selecting potential partners with the same gestures (and enthusiasm) they use to scroll through videos on TikTok or browse products in an online store.

Swipe right for interest; swipe left to move on.

What once involved the drama of meeting someone—glances, hesitation, approaching, rejection, discovery—has been compressed into almost "gamified" interfaces.

Dating apps have expanded the possibilities for meeting people, but research in social psychology indicates that more options do not always mean greater satisfaction, more stable relationships or better outcomes for all users. ...