I keep hearing about studies that leverage speed dating events to research physical attraction, romance etiquette and the like.
This write up is pretty interesting.
Researchers found that something as simple as who physically approaches who can have a significant impact on desire:
“The mere act of physically approaching a potential partner, versus being approached, seemed to increase desire for that partner,” said Eli Finkel, associate professor of psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern and co-investigator of the study.
Regardless of gender, those who rotated experienced greater romantic desire for their partners, compared to those who sat throughout the event. The rotators, compared to the sitters, tended to have a greater interest in seeing their speed-dating partners again.
“Given that men generally are expected — and sometimes required – to approach a potential love interest, the implications are intriguing,” Finkel said.
“Let’s face it, even today, there is a huge difference in terms of who is expected to walk across the bar to say ‘hi,’” added Northwestern’s Paul Eastwick, the study’s other co-investigator.
It sounds like it would be in the organizers’ interest to make everyone get up and rotate. Wouldn’t that stimulate desire across the board?!
Next time I organize a speed dating event, I think I’ll have to give this a try.
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I have never done speed dating, so I have no idea if this is true or not. When you organize your event, let me know, so I can hide in a closet and take notes. =D