Global Love Report – August 28th, 2024
The dating industry has experienced remarkable growth. Behind the growth of this industry, research plays a crucial role in understanding human relationships, leading to the development of knowledge that can provide deeper insights and create innovative solutions.
One of the pioneers of this industry is Dr. Helen Fisher. She was an anthropologist, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at NeuroColor, Senior Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and Chief Scientific Advisor for Match.com. Dr. Fisher made significant contributions to the understanding of love and relationships. Her extensive studies on human sexuality, love, marriage, and gender differences in the brain revolutionized the dating industry.
Dr. Fisher’s scientific publications, including her seminal work “Anatomy of Love,” presented groundbreaking theories about the evolution of partnership and the biological factors influencing romantic relationships. In 2004, she released a book titled “Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love,” in which she eloquently stated, “Romantic love is deeply embedded in the architecture and chemistry of the human brain.”
Her book caught the attention of Match.com, leading to a collaboration that sparked a crucial question shaping her future research: “Could we have evolved biological patterns that naturally draw us to certain people rather than others?” In 2010, she co-founded the influential Singles in America survey, a collaboration between the Match Group and the Kinsey Institute, which continues to provide cutting-edge insights into dating and relationship trends.
One of Dr. Fisher’s most notable works was her 2009 book “Why Him? Why Her?” In this work, Dr. Fisher introduced four broad, biologically-based styles of thinking and behaving, linked with the dopamine, serotonin, testosterone, and estrogen systems in the brain. Dr. Fisher termed these personality types Explorer, Builder, Director, and Negotiator.
To support this theory, Dr. Fisher developed the Fisher Temperament Inventory (FTI), a personality questionnaire based directly on brain physiology. This assessment has been taken by over 15 million people across 40 countries and has been validated by fMRI brain scanning experiments. The FTI helps individuals understand their natural thinking and behavioral styles, as well as recognize these traits in others.
Using data from thousands of Americans, Dr. Fisher explained in her book why we are attracted to certain people and not others. Dr. Fisher provided insights on how to use this neuroscientific understanding to find compatible partners and build lasting relationships. This work has significantly impacted the dating industry, influencing matchmaking algorithms and helping individuals better comprehend their relationship dynamics.
Dr. Fisher’s curiosity extended to complex relationship issues, as demonstrated in her interview for “A Practitioner’s Guide To Working With Couples.” Here, she explored the biological components potentially underlying infidelity, offering a fresh perspective beyond traditional psychological and cultural explanations.
By approaching human relationships through the lens of biology and evolution, Dr. Fisher provided a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of love and relationships.
Throughout her career, Dr. Fisher developed innovative tools to help individuals and couples gain profound insights into their personalities, motivations, and relationship dynamics. Her work transcended the dating industry, influencing couple counseling and marketing strategy development. The widespread appeal of her research was evident in the popularity of her TED Talks on the science of love, which amassed over 22 million views.
Dr. Helen Fisher’s passing is a profound loss for those of us working in the dating and matchmaking industry. Her pioneering work revolutionized our understanding of love, leaving an indelible mark. We are deeply grateful for her dedication to unraveling the mysteries of human relationships, which continues to inspire and guide matchmakers, dating coaches, and singles.
To learn more about her incredible work, please click here.
