Glacier Country News

Researchers at the University of Montana are investigating what creates romantic connections, using speed dating as a research setting. Stephanie Dimitroff, an assistant professor of social psychology, is leading the study with students in the Biology of Stress and Sociality (BOSS) Lab.

Dimitroff has previously conducted similar research in Germany during her postdoctoral training at the University of Konstanz. The focus was on physiological synchrony, which involves studying how people's heart rates and other physical responses align with those they find attractive.

In the German study, participants' blood glucose levels were analyzed to see if they affected interpersonal connections. Results indicated that individuals with lower blood glucose levels were rated as more likable and attractive. "That is exactly opposite of what I would have thought," said Dimitroff. She added that she did not want to publish these findings without replicating them, prompting the Missoula study.

Last November and December, 90 community members participated in five speed dating events held at the Missoula Public Library. Participants were divided into age groups and either fasted or consumed sugar water before participating to manipulate their blood glucose levels.

The researchers collected data on personality types, attachment styles, empathy levels, and blood glucose levels throughout the events. While analysis is ongoing, some intriguing patterns have emerged from the 394 speed dates conducted. Out of these dates, 65 resulted in mutual interest—a success rate consistent with Dimitroff's previous study in Germany.

"This suggests if you throw two similarly aged single strangers together on a date, there seems to be about a 16%-17% chance that they will mutually like each other," Dimitroff stated.

Further analysis will include a six-month follow-up with participants to determine if any matches developed into romantic relationships.

Jordan Gunderson, a doctoral student working with Dimitroff in the BOSS Lab, is focusing his master's thesis on stress responses. His involvement in this project allowed him to observe firsthand how people manage stress during speed dating scenarios.

Besides gathering data for scientific purposes, Dimitroff enjoyed hosting these community events where participants also formed friendships outside romantic interests. "You could see they were all chit-chatting and becoming friends," she observed.

Dimitroff's broader aim is addressing loneliness by understanding what makes people likable—knowledge that could potentially help reduce loneliness over time.

"A big reason for the speed dating experiments is to try to find out what creates a connection," she explained.

Dave Kuntz serves as UM’s director of strategic communications and can be contacted for further information regarding this study.