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Smart-Dating in Speed-Dating: How a Simple Search Model Can Explain Matching Decisions

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Abstract

How do people in a romantic matching situation choose a potential partner? We study this question in a new model of matching under search frictions, which we estimate using data from an existing speed dating experiment. We find that attraction is mostly in the eye of the beholder and that the attraction between two potential partners has a tendency to be mutual. These results are supported by a direct measure of subjective attraction. We also simulate the estimated model, and it predicts rejection patterns, matching rates, and sorting outcomes that fit the data very well. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that people in a romantic matching situation act strategically and have at least an implicit understanding of the nature of the frictions and of the strategic equilibrium.

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  • Lucas Herrenbrueck & Xiaoyu Xia & Paul Eastwick & Eli Finkel & Chin Ming Hui, 2016. "Smart-Dating in Speed-Dating: How a Simple Search Model Can Explain Matching Decisions," Discussion Papers dp16-02, Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University.
    • Handle: RePEc:sfu:sfudps:dp16-02
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    Cited by:

    1. Xu, Yujing & Yang, Huanxing, 2019. "Targeted search with horizontal differentiation in the marriage market," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 31-62.
    2. Paul M. Anglin & Yanmin Gao, 2023. "Value of Communication and Social Media: An Equilibrium Theory of Messaging," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 66(4), pages 861-903, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Search and matching theory; heterogeneous preferences; decisions under uncertainty; attraction and attractiveness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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