From Academia: Tinder Cheaters Exhibit ‘Psychopathic’ Traits

A new paper published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior has investigated why people who are in relationships use Tinder.

The study, titled “Why are you cheating on tinder? Exploring users’ motives and (dark) personality traits”, was a collaboration between academics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Tilburg University and University of Massachusetts Boston.

It found that users who were already in a relationship differed from single users in their motivation for using the app. They were also more likely to exhibit psychopathic personality traits.

Notably, “non-single Tinder users score significantly lower on Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, and significantly higher on Neuroticism and Psychopathy compared to non-users in a committed relationship.”

It also found that “non-single” users engage in a larger number of romantic relationships, French kisses, one night stands, and casual sexual relationships with other Tinder users, versus single Tinder users.

Researcher Elisabeth Timmermans said: “Our findings leave me wondering whether dating apps might be a threat to romantic relationships.

“Of course our findings are too preliminary to make such conclusions, but they already suggest that some people (i.e., with certain personality traits) might be more susceptible to using dating apps for infidelity purposes than others.”

A recent study from NTNU in Norway found that Tinder users do not find it easier than non-users to have casual sex.

Rather, those who are open to the idea of casual sex download and use Tinder, but to no real premium effect.

Find the new study here.