"We are fascinated by stories, yet we write our dating profiles like shopping lists. It's not height or ambition that makes someone fall for you, it's your entire story. But people can't feel that from bullet points. Telling a story can make you be seen as a fellow human being rather than a mere commodity."
"The first experiment involved showing two types of text profile. One included bare facts - that the person plays guitar, studies economics and likes to travel. Meanwhile the other wove those facts into a story, describing how the person's grandfather had given them a guitar as a child and music became an important part of their life."
"In the second experiment, participants viewed photo profiles. In the non-narrative profiles, the photos were taken in neutral settings, like a park or a street. In the narrative condition, the photos showed the person going about their daily life, doing things like exercising, studying and spending time with friends."
Research demonstrates that dating profile success depends on storytelling rather than listing personal attributes. Scientists conducted three experiments with 594 participants comparing narrative and non-narrative profiles. Narrative profiles wove facts into personal stories, such as explaining how a grandfather's guitar gift shaped someone's life, while non-narrative profiles presented information as lists. Photo-based narrative profiles showed people engaged in daily activities like exercising or studying, contrasting with neutral background photos. Results showed narrative profiles generated significantly more interest from potential dates. Researchers emphasize that stories create empathy and present individuals as complete human beings rather than commodities, making them more attractive to potential romantic partners.
Read at Mail Online
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