Since its launch, Tinder has grown into a worldwide company, and its interface is different than many of its competitors. It presents one user with pictures of other members, prompting them to either swipe left or right, left being negative and right being positive. The goal is that both users will swipe right on each other, creating a match, which will then allow the users to chat.
Tinder’s method of creating matches is pretty lackluster yet is surprisingly effective. Users provide between one and nine photos, their first name and, optionally, a short biography. Then, based on their location and profile, other users swipe. If everything goes well, users will get a match. People take, usually, only a second before swiping left or right on a profile, going through hundreds of profiles at a time.
Self-validation is a major reason users choose Tinder. When users receive a notification that someone liked, super-liked or matched with them, it acts as a boost to their self-esteems and self-worth. Knowing that other people find you attractive, even if the feelings are not mutual, can be a huge motivator for people to continue using Tinder.
The search for love is, of course, another reason Tinder is thriving with over 55 million users. It is, after all, the purpose for which the app was designed. Many users utilize the app to look for a serious relationship. Tinder has devolved from a reputable dating service, to a sex match maker.
Tinder users, like anyone else, are quick to make assumptions about other people. Many people believe the more attractive a person seems, the more intelligent, socially adept, confident, friendly and trustworthy that person will be. This assumption is not something that was caused by the creation of Tinder, or even something that became prevalent with the rise of internet dating, but is a biological predisposition from which everyone suffers. Studies conducted by Judith Langlois, from the University of Texas at Austin, concluded that infants respond more positively to attractive faces then to unattractive faces. This proves that Tinder is not the sole stimulant for the rise in superficial judgement making; rather, it is serving as a platform for its users to do so.
In the last 20 years, technology has quickly taken over society, having an impact on everything from education to dating culture. Online dating has transformed into nothing more than a game, the prize being a quick and easy hookup. Tinder was more so designed for users to quickly judge other members and for the user to get some kind of satisfaction or pleasure from judging people, than as a way for people to meet their soulmate.
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