Mindful Matching: Enhancing Wellbeing through Positive AI on Dating Platforms

Mindful Matching: Enhancing Wellbeing through Positive AI on Dating Platforms

Wang, Gigi (TU Delft Industrial Design Engineering)

Hekkert, P.P.M. (mentor)
van der Maden, W.L.A. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Integrated Product Design

2023-09-19

The growth of dating apps has changed the way relationships are formed. These applications have enabled users to widen their dating pool of potential partners through profile recommendations based on proximity and shared interests. However, dating app usage was also found to impact well-being negatively, with the AI systems of these platforms, contributing to it. In this project it was therefore explored how well-being can be enhanced, by mitigating the detrimental impacts of dating apps.

Contextualising well-being
Literature research was conducted to explore the features within a dating app along with its effect on well-being. By linking the various experiences with dating apps to well-being theories, a theoretical model could be developed. This contextual model of well-being was validated in a participatory workshop with dating app users. Findings from this workshop indicated that autonomy and relatedness were mostly affected, especially during the profile setup, which also influenced the overall app experience such as during swiping.

Operationalising well-being
As relevant constructs were identified for further study, it was necessary to determine how these facets of well-being could be measured, in particular for the context of dating apps. In-depth research on the relationship between autonomy and relatedness indicated that in order for people to become more autonomous (showing one’s true self to others), the need for relatedness (being understood or feeling a sense of belonging) had to be fulfilled first. For dating apps, a sense of relatedness could be achieved through sharing similar interests (or by experiencing a sense of belonging) with others, while autonomy relied on choosing qualities that are not necessarily desirable, but valuable to the user themselves (when it concerned self-expression).

Optimising well-being
Based on these insights, a design direction was formulated. This concerned, enhancing social connection by highlighting individuality (uniqueness of a person) within similarity (through a shared connection). This direction was used as a base for ideation. AI Ideation cards, which showcased the capabilities of the technology, were utilised. The possible interactions enabled by the technology were linked to desirable well-being outcomes defined previously.

Implementing well-being
This resulted in the design of a new dating app, MiHue. The app highlights a person’s unique attribute and tries to find a common ground with others either through an uncommon trait or through mutual passions. The experience of autonomy and relatedness upon this design was measured and the outcomes were used for recommending future cycles.

Initiating a new cycle
For the next cycle, it was recommended that other well-being related aspects which were not considered in the design, but present in the theoretical model (such as self-acceptance, positive emotions and physical health) to be considered for future research. Furthermore, it was advised that the involvement of minorities should also be included and that gender differences should be taken into account for the next cycle.

Well-being
Artificial Intelligence
Dating apps
App design
Relationships
Positive AI
Platforms
Social Connection

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:6a8134a2-a40b-47ed-9427-49ac9f793797

Student theses

master thesis

© 2023 Gigi Wang