eHarmony Compatibility Profile

by David Evans on January 5, 2006 in Features, Jobs

Eharmony has announced the Compatibility Profile, which helps members avoid common matchmaking mistakes by providing insight into potential match’s adaptability, passion, sociability and self-image. The new report is based on the existing 436-question Relationship Questionnaire.

Eharmony has also announced Jaynie M. Studenmund as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Until early 2004, Studenmund was the chief operating officer for Overture Services Inc., the pioneer in pay-for-performance search, now part of Yahoo!. During her three year tenure as COO, the company experienced profitable, hyper growth, including growing annual revenues from $100 million to $1.2 billion. Previously, Studenmund was the president and COO of PayMyBills.com, the largest bill management service on the Internet.

[tags: compatibility, eharmony]

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1 James Houran January 11, 2006 at 10:24 pm: It is ironic to me that eHarmony is introducing a “new” Compatibility Profile to help online daters avoid common “matchamking mistakes” via its “relationship questionnaire” when one study has shown that the eHarmony relationship test:

1. has a demonstrably flawed rationale,

2. demonstrably uses outdated and flawed testing methodology, and

3. and from all indications does not meet professional testing standards set forth by the AERA, APA, and NCME.

In other words, I’m saying that it is a gross “matchmaking mistake” for online daters to heed the guidance provided by eHarmony’s “relationship questionnaire.” Many clinical and research psychologists, other than me and who are clearly impartial to this industry, have strongly agreed with my criticisms [e.g., see the spring issues of "The Observer" (a periodical of the American Psychological Society) in which several professionals responding to an embarrassing marketing article by eHarmony in the magazine raked eHarmony over the coals in a series of rebuttals and Letters to the Editor).

For a detailed discussion and debunking of the eHarmony test see: Houran, J., Lange, R., Rentfrow, P. J., & Bruckner, K. H. (2004). Do online matchmaking tests work? An assessment of preliminary evidence for a publicized "predictive model of marital success." North American Journal of Psychology, 6, 507-526].

Interested readers can receive an electronic copy of this paper from me (just send me an email!)

Thanks,

James Houran, Ph.D.
Research Psychologist

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2 Nicole November 19, 2006 at 12:32 am: Hi Dr. Houran,

I am writing a research paper on the problematic issues e-harmony.com creates. I was wondering if you could send me an electronic copy of your issue in the North American Journal of Psychology?

It would be of great help! Thank you!

-Nicole

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3 James Houran November 28, 2006 at 1:58 pm: Hi Nicole,

Please send me an email address to jim_houran@yahoo.com and I will be happy to share a reprint.

Thx,

James Houran, Ph.D.
OnlineDatingMagazine.com

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