Fred Feinberg from the University of Michigan held a talk on mate choice in online dating as part of our Department’s Research Seminar Series. The presented study leveraged modern choice modeling techniques to data involving whom online dating users "browse", and whom they then take the more the more effortful step of "writing" to. Their model identifies "cupid's vector": Possible "deal breakers" (attributes of potential mates so unwelcome that no other combination of characteristics can overcome), and "universals" (desirable characteristics that seem to run across otherwise heterogeneous preferences).

We thank Fred for his visit, and the interesting talk and discussions. For information on the upcoming guest speakers at the Research Seminar Series, please check the agenda.