1. James Houran, Ph.D. on February 1, 2005 10:57 AM writes...

I find it interesting how PerfectMatch is attacking eHarmony, yet both companies fail to offer scientific evidence that their matching systems actually work. Reporters are now beginning to notice this anomaly.

Dr. Pepper Schwartz should know better as a "tenured professor" that claims of scientific validity need supporting data. This is an issue that will not go away. People in helping professions (and I consider sites that position themselves as long-term relationship building services to be such) should be among the most sensitive to consumer education and claims that serve to sway consumers.

Look out PerfectMatch and eHarmony -- you are being called out to substantiate your claims. This type of behavior is insulting to those of us in academia. See my recent article in the Dec issue of the North American Journal of Psychology (Vol.6, pp. 507-526) for details.

2. Bob Mackenzie on February 1, 2005 11:59 AM writes...

James:

As a Ph.D, you ought to know that making the claim that you can match two people before they have ever met eachother is bogus and there is no science out there to prove it. True is just as bad as eHarmony.

3. James Houran, Ph.D. on February 1, 2005 2:32 PM writes...

Hi Bob:

Actually, there is scientific evidence that some testing systems do measure very well the relationship variables that define relationship quality. Relationship variables besides mere "physical or sexual chemistry" are at work in long-term relationship satisfaction.

No system that I am aware of "matches" people with the intention that the subsequent pair(s) instantly becomes a couple. That is absurd, and TRUE and other services make no such claims. It is up to two people to explore whether they have chemistry, as well as meet each other holistic expectations.

What TRUE does claim is that their test meets professional testing standards -- the others can't make that claim.

4. Fernando Ardenghi on February 1, 2005 2:38 PM writes...

new on line dating and social networking method

Actually, many SAME online dating sites invented a proprietary test to measure personality and a way to compare and assign a compatibility percentage BETWEEN profiles.

I have invented a new on line dating and social networking method named LIFEPROJECT. This method uses a well know personality test instead, in DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, like 16PF5 (or similar). I have not invented a proprietary test, I have invented a HIGH PRECISION, HIGH RELIABILITY WAY TO COMPARE the report of the personality test of one client to others. (2 integers + 8 decimals)

LIKE THIS:
Name: Carol Doe, U.S. Citizen / sex: Female / age: 32 / test date: 25 October 2004
Norm: English US Combined 16PF5 Profile 16 personality factors
(A)Warmth : 6
(B)Reasoning : 7
(C)Emotional Stability : 6
(E)Dominance : 8
(F)Liveliness : 9
(G)Rule-Consciousness : 6
(H)Social Boldness : 7
(I)Sensitivity : 7
(L)Vigilance : 8
(M)Abstractedness: 7
(N)Privateness : 2
(O)Apprehension : 5
(Q1)Openness to Change : 8
(Q2)Self-Reliance : 7
(Q3)Perfectionism : 3
(Q4)Tension : 4
................
Name: André Montagn, French Citizen / sex: Male / age: 39 / test date: 29 December 2004
Norm: French Language 16PF5 Profile
(A)Warmth : 5
(B)Reasoning : 7
(C)Emotional Stability : 4
(E)Dominance : 8
(F)Liveliness : 7
(G)Rule-Consciousness : 4
(H)Social Boldness : 5
(I)Sensitivity : 6
(L)Vigilance : 4
(M)Abstractedness: 6
(N)Privateness : 8
(O)Apprehension : 9
(Q1)Openness to Change : 6
(Q2)Self-Reliance : 8
(Q3)Perfectionism : 4
(Q4)Tension : 4
................
Name: Helmut Fritz, German Citizen / sex: Male / age: 42 / test date: 07 January 2005
Norm: German Language 16PF5 Profile
(A)Warmth : 2
(B)Reasoning : 5
(C)Emotional Stability : 4
(E)Dominance : 6
(F)Liveliness : 3
(G)Rule-Consciousness : 8
(H)Social Boldness : 7
(I)Sensitivity : 6
(L)Vigilance : 3
(M)Abstractedness: 9
(N)Privateness : 9
(O)Apprehension : 8
(Q1)Openness to Change : 2
(Q2)Self-Reliance : 5
(Q3)Perfectionism : 5
(Q4)Tension : 6
................
Name: Carlo Giulio Mazzini, Italian Citizen / sex: Male / age: 35 / test date: 09 January 2005
Norm: Italian Language 16PF5 Profile
(A)Warmth : 7
(B)Reasoning : 7
(C)Emotional Stability : 6
(E)Dominance : 8
(F)Liveliness : 8
(G)Rule-Consciousness : 7
(H)Social Boldness : 6
(I)Sensitivity : 5
(L)Vigilance : 8
(M)Abstractedness: 7
(N)Privateness : 4
(O)Apprehension : 5
(Q1)Openness to Change : 7
(Q2)Self-Reliance : 7
(Q3)Perfectionism : 3
(Q4)Tension : 4
................
Name: Inacio Nascimento, Brazilian / sex: Male / age: 47 / test date: 15 January 2005
Norm: Portuguese Language 16PF5 Profile
(A)Warmth : 4
(B)Reasoning : 9
(C)Emotional Stability : 5
(E)Dominance : 4
(F)Liveliness : 1
(G)Rule-Consciousness : 3
(H)Social Boldness : 4
(I)Sensitivity : 9
(L)Vigilance : 7
(M)Abstractedness: 8
(N)Privateness : 7
(O)Apprehension : 5
(Q1)Openness to Change : 6
(Q2)Self-Reliance : 7
(Q3)Perfectionism : 9
(Q4)Tension : 10

COMPARISON
BETWEEN Carol Doe, U.S. Citizen (New York) AND André Montagn, French Citizen (Paris)
== 74.79865772% PROBABILITY OF BEING COMPATIBLE

BETWEEN Carol Doe, U.S. Citizen (New York) AND Helmut Fritz, German Citizen (Bonn)
== 54.09395973% PROBABILITY OF BEING COMPATIBLE

BETWEEN Carol Doe, U.S. Citizen (New York) AND Carlo Mazzini, Italian Citizen (Torino)
== 92.55033557% PROBABILITY OF BEING COMPATIBLE

BETWEEN Carol Doe, U.S. Citizen (New York) AND Inacio Nascimento, Brazilian (Brasilia)
== 57.71812081% PROBABILITY OF BEING COMPATIBLE

LIFEPROJECT method
A NEW WAY TO KNOW PEOPLE
A NEW WAY TO MEET PEOPLE
A NEW WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS (on line dating)
A NEW WAY TO MAKE A NET (social networking)
http://mb.internetdatingconference.com/viewtopic.php?t=30
http://mb.internetdatingconference.com/viewtopic.php?t=134

LIFEPROJECT method is really innovative, is a new way to codify the results, that are independent of the language, of well known psycho tests used to evaluate personality and a new way to compare the codification of one test to the codification of the others. In LIFEPROJECT a person only contacts other persons that have been selected by the algorithm.

LIFEPROJECT is like 4 pieces puzzle.
1 is the psycho tests.
2 is the supercomputer or high speed server arrangement.
3 is the algorithm I have invented.
4 is the marketing scheme.
(niche market :
- persons that have been hurt in their feelings by others in many on line dating sites.
- persons that are searching for a multicultural on line dating.
- persons that have time to wait. (a year, or more).
And all of them have the same reason to pay a fee: This fee will work as a barrier to avoid free users, who could hurt their feelings.)

ABOUT psycho tests: Multi-language tests (like 16PF5 or similar)
Danish, Dutch, English for Australia, English for Canada, English for the United Kingdom, English for the United States, French (European), German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese (European and New World), Portuguese of Brazil, Spanish (Castilian), Spanish-American, Swedish & Turkish. coming soon: Chinese, English for South Africa, Finnish, Japanese.
source: www.16pfworld.com/languages.html
16PF5 16 personality factors and 5 big five by Dr. Raymond Cattell invented in 1949. Proved, approved and actualized using census 2000 figures. Over 50 years of experience.
The same tests that are used to evaluate candidates applying for a job.

ABOUT the algorithm I have invented:
The core task: to mathematically codify the tests reports using adapted quantum mechanics math equations. This result is disposed in a matricial form. Only one matrix for a client. A high speed server arrangement or a supercomputer using adapted quantum mechanics math and statistical equations condensed in an ALGORITHM, compares the matrix of one client with the matrices of the other clients.
For 100,000 clients needs over 5,000,000,000 of matricial comparisons.
For 1,000,000 clients needs over 500,000,000,000 of matricial comparisons.
For this method; 100,000 clients is the "critical mass", i.e. after 100,000 different persons were charged, some proofs will be done to adjust the several coefficients of quantum mechanics math equations in the algorithm and it is also possibly to generate a new pair of equations to compare and find not only 95% or over of coincidences, but also a combination of coincidences and mismatches (compatible&complementary items) like 80% compatible and 20% complementary and so on. A combination of compatible&complementary items can be tuned/synthesized for the average of the data base. It is very reliable, 1 person will “match” no more than 3 in 100,000 or 12 in 1,000,000. (OR the 3 most compatible in 100,000 or the 12 most compatible in 1,000,000). If two clients “match” (95% or more affinity), the system tries to contact them.

ABOUT marketing scheme:
In LIFEPROJECT method, the message for a new/potential client is like this:
"If you are very tired of lies, tired of other methods that use tests or formularies invented by them; if you are tired of chat sessions and emails; if you are tired of speed dating, why don't you try this new method that uses the same tests that are used to evaluate candidates for a job. When 100,000 clients in the data base were charged, the super/high speed computer will run an algorithm and 3 persons will be 95% or more compatible with you (or the 3 most compatible in 100,000). These 3 persons have NEARLY THE SAME PERSONALITY that you, they are PREDICTABLE for you, because they will act like you; so why don't you contact them?, These 3 persons of 100,000 evaluated are better than the 99,997 others. It will be a really fascinating experience at low cost.”

LIFEPROJECT method == a really fascinating experience at low cost.

The on line dating future: Quality like off line chains, perhaps less photos, less instant messages, less chat, less videos, less speed; high reliability and high precision in on line dating techniques, creating demand of the service.
LIFEPROJECT METHOD is a DISRUPTIVE ALGORITMH that will allow to build an online dating data base that NEVER EXPIRES, because the personality is like a fingerprint. In LIFEPROJECT a person only contacts other persons that have been selected by the algorithm.

Because homophily dominates human attraction == PREDICTABLE PEOPLE

A good article about this question:

http://web.media.mit.edu/~atf/papers/chi2004_personals_short.pdf

BACKGROUND
Psychologists for decades have studied what characteristics people notice and seek in potential mates. Brehm et al. and Fisher provide an overview of the following factors in attraction: Proximity and familiarity are two of the most powerful determinants of attraction — those whom we see more often, and whom it is logistically easier to see, tend to seem more attractive (physically and otherwise). Physical attractiveness also plays a prominent role. Almost all cultures consider facial symmetry beautiful in both men and women, but preferences for other characteristics, like waist-to-hip ratio in women, vary somewhat with culture. People also irrationally associate other good characteristics with beauty, presuming pretty people to be smart and socially capable even when this is not the case. People are generally attracted to others who have demographics, attitudes, values, and personality traits similar to their own. (Contrary to the adage that “opposites attract”, homophily dominates human attraction. Most people seek people like them.) Online dating systems provide tremendously powerful tools for identifying people who match you in these traits.

LIFEPROJECT method DOES NOT USE Myers-Briggs Type Indicators (MBTI) NOR Regression Weights Method NOR Band Method with optimal range of sten (standardized tens) scores.
LIFEPROJECT uses QUANTUM MECHANICS MATH and STATISTICAL EQUATIONS
Different personality possibilities 1 x 10^16 More than persons exist in the world, that are nearly 6 x 10^9

Kindest Regards,
Fernando Ardenghi.
Argentina.
ardenghifer@argentina.com