Love and Dating Lecture

Jul 11, 2024

Love and Dating Lecture

Key Speaker:

  • Logan Ury: Dating Scientist from Harvard, helps millions of people find love with a data-driven approach.

Main Themes:

  1. The Spark vs. Slow Burn
  2. Post-Date 8
  3. Three Dating Tendencies
  4. Attachment Theory
  5. Relationship Profile Tips

The Spark vs. Slow Burn

  • Spark: Initial chemistry and fireworks, often leads to the burnout of relationships.
  • Slow Burn: Emphasis on gradually building a deeper connection, resulting in long-term relationship success.

Post-Date 8

  • A series of 8 questions to assess after a date to understand your feelings and experiences, breaking away from the evaluative mindset.
  • Focus areas include how the date made you feel, your level of enjoyment, and what side of you the person brings out.

Three Dating Tendencies

  1. Romanticizer: Unrealistic expectations of relationships, seeking a soulmate and effortless love.
  2. Maximizer: Unrealistic expectations of a partner, always searching for the perfect person.
  3. Hesitator: Unrealistic expectations of oneself, waiting until they feel they are worthy to date.

Attachment Theory

  • Based on John Bowlby's work, describes the influence of early childhood experiences on adult romantic relationships.
  • Types of Attachment:
    1. Secure: Comfortable with intimacy and independence, balance.
    2. Anxious: Fear of abandonment, constantly seeking reassurance.
    3. Avoidant: Fear of being smothered, maintaining distance and avoiding intimacy.
  • Breaking the anxious-avoidant loop suggests dating a securely attached partner or becoming more secure oneself.

Relationship Profile Tips

Photos:

  1. Clear headshot: No filters, easy identification.
  2. Full body picture.
  3. Social picture: With friends/family, shows social life.
  4. Activity photo: Doing something you love.
  5. Avoid: Group photos where it's unclear who you are, photos with ambiguous relationships, and excessive selfies or gym selfies.

Prompts:

  • Balance of humor and vulnerability.
  • Be specific to show personality and avoid clichés.

Importance of Conversation Topics

  • Skip small talk, delve into deeper, emotionally vulnerable topics.
  • Share stories, not just facts.

How to Have a Successful First Date

  • Choose environments where different sides of you can emerge.
  • Consider activities that show a playful or relaxed side of your personality.

Common Dating Myths vs. Realities

  • Myths: Looks, money, and similar hobbies/personalities are crucial for long-term success.
  • Realities: Emotional stability, kindness, loyalty, the ability to make hard decisions together, and how you feel about yourself around the other person matter more.

Fighting in Relationships

  • Effective Conflict Resolution: Importance of being able to fight well, making hard decisions together, and not avoiding conflicts.
  • Adaptation: Understanding and accepting each other’s differences and resolving perpetual issues.

Conclusion

  • Deciding Over Sliding: Making intentional decisions at every stage of a relationship rather than drifting into the next stage.
  • Net Positive of Dating Apps: Given their support for thin dating markets and their role as modern-day matchmakers.

Extra Notes

  • How to handle digital distractions on dates.
  • The necessity of gratitude and appreciation journals to reframe dating perspectives.
  • Hinge as a tool to meet potential partners with an emphasis on getting users into lasting relationships.

Final Thought

  • Focusing on Emotional Intimacy: It's crucial for developing and sustaining long-term, meaningful relationships. Being open, vulnerable, and real leads to deeper connections.