Social networks are regularly criticized by the media. And at a time when mental health is at the forefront of many people’s minds, we wonder how dating apps like Tinder have such an impact on us.
Indeed, you won’t have trouble finding a group of people who consider dating apps to be designed very similarly to slot machines. If you have ever wondered how Tinder makes us addicted, the following lines offer you an interesting summary.
Swiping on a Tinder profile is a nice kind of game
When you slide your finger, you’re sort of betting on “who will appear?” –like when the reels spin on slot machines. It must be said that today’s dating apps have literally transformed love into a game. In fact, in France, when you meet someone on Tinder, you talk to them or in other words you “keep talking”. play “.
Dating apps are incredibly simple and fun to use. Every time you swipe left or right on a Tinder profile, it might be that “special someone” that pops up. The truth is, you just don’t know what’s going to happen, that’s what makes us so addictive.
And just like slot machines display encouraging messages to highlight your good fortune, pairing up with someone validates your attractiveness to a potential partner.
The hope of finding a better match on Tinder
Using Tinder, you know that at some point, a match or other is guaranteed. A bit like a possible winning slot machine combination – our brains love variable and intermittent rewards. Research has shown that if a reward is unpredictable – like a potential match – it is even more attractive.
So it’s no surprise that the majority of Tinder users end up talking to less than 10% of their matches. Over time, we can realize that going on dating apps is no longer just about meeting someone, but is almost becoming an obligation.
Just like a compulsive gambler who wins money on slot machines, instead of walking away with the winnings – our Tinder match, we play again to the point of addiction. That said, you might have endless scrolling through matches without ever speaking to them, simply because you’re hoping to find someone even hotter.
Tinder notifications are designed to capture attention
Dating app notifications and sounds are designed to seduce you in the same way casino slots do. When you connect with someone on Tinder, there are many elements at play to turn you on. These are the hits, graphics, messages that appear on the screen, as well as the push notifications that you receive.
Every time one of those Tinder elements winks at us, dopamine floods our brain. And every dose contributes to more interaction with our app and device. Combine that with the endless submissions of potential new profiles and there’s no reason for users to stop swiping.
Conclusion
Ultimately, most people go on Tinder to look for love, while others do it simply for a nice dopamine hit. Whatever your reasons, you should keep in mind that the design of dating apps mimics that of slot machines.
Which explains very well Why and how a dating site like Tinder can get us addicted. Apart from their resemblance to a sensational betting game, their design perfectly targets the people who use them and makes them a real form of escapism.
