Tinder and location based dating

Today online dating has become more streamlined with the emergence of location based dating apps all of which are available on smartphones, allowing users to set parameters such as the geographical distance and age of a potential date. The popular view of the dating app Tinder is that it is used or hook-up or casual sex, and furthermore that there are differences between males and females in how they use Tinder. Relationship development generally requires a level of disclosure of personal information to a potential dating partner. However it is argued here that disclosure is not a necessary prerequisite for the efficacy of dating using a mobile dating app. Finally, Tinder works by presenting users with a sequence of profile pictures of others seeking partners, to which users make judgments in terms of whether they find the profile attractive or not. In terms of decision making and choices made in romantic settings it is possible that the abundance of choice available in online dating apps might have detrimental effects on the ultimate choices made. This chapter will therefore discuss the effect to which Tinder has an effect on decision making in online dating. In summary this chapter will focus on uses of Tinder, romantic choice decision making in Tinder and finally the impact of the app in facilitating a different way of dating.