“What’s your type?” I’m sure you have heard that said many times in chat about dating. In fairytales like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, a beautiful but low socioeconomic heroine is romantically rescued by a handsome Prince. Hence “I’ve kissed a lot of frogs looking for my Prince”.
Men likewise may be in search of the ideal beautiful princess as their ultimate goal. Without knowing it, do you in your idealised version of type inadvertently suffer from Unconscious Bias?
What is unconscious bias?
Dr Candice Nicole Hargons, Director of the Center for Healing Racial Trauma defines unconscious bias as “the way our socialization makes us see people of a different race, class, gender, or any other identity, sometimes without realizing it”.
Is your ideal type based on a list of requirements and does a good match have a basis in something else? At Maclynn (formerly Vida), the foundation of our expertise is in the psychology of a good relationship. Because of this, our team of expert matchmakers can introduce you to a person you didn’t know or realise could be the perfect match. The big question is; does unconscious bias get in the way of you finding someone?
Broadening your horizons
In this respect, we are not necessarily talking about specifically about race, but having a fixed idea, a bias about who we think we should be with, blocking our path to success in finding someone to love.
Dr Pragya Agarwal, a behavioural scientist and author of SWAY: Unravelling Unconscious Bias says that ‘we have biases or prejudices that we may not always be aware of that affect how we interact with others’. Internalised stereotypes affecting how we perceive others who do not fit within a certain stereotype or ‘ideal’.
Romantic realisations in film and life
In the best rom coms, the clever screen writer understands that his protagonist (the hero or heroine) is usually perceived as the worst match, the annoying person – while we the audience can see all the potential and can wait for the moment of realisation. The audience revels as they see the story unfold, along with the potential partner slowly discovering that love was there right under their nose the whole time.
The issue with dating apps is that they work on the basis of algorithms based on who you have liked or dislike, your bio and other factors. The perfect match doesn’t exist in this space, but the apps can lead you to believe it does and in the process without any solid real dates with real potential, it’s ultimately a potentially depressing experience.
Maclynn’s approach to true compatibility
Our team of relationship experts listen carefully to our clients who are seeking a serious and committed relationship. They want to know what is on your wish list, but their level of enquiry in a confidential space is to really get to know how you tick and what sort of person would ultimately be compatible.
The intention is to sidestep your potential unconscious bias about who, and introduce you to like-minded people you may possibly overlook or not consider. We do the leg work, and you just need to bring your authentic, unique self to the date and let the magic unfold.
Don’t let unconscious bias get in the way of your success, make this the year you become a Maclynn client and see romantic possibilities from a different perspective.
