PR NEWSWIRE -- May 24 -- The new relationship tool helps couples identify the strengths and weaknesses of their relationship while providing them with personalized tips on how to improve those areas of their relationship that will bring them closer together. Available at http://www.eharmonylabs.com. The Relationship Check-Up was specifically designed for couples in a serious relationship, 3 months or longer. Each partner answers a 60-item questionnaire and then receives instant access to their assessment results and relationship advice. eHarmony Labs is led by a team of five Ph.D.s with expertise in the fields of psychology, sociology and human relations. eHarmony Labs Advisory Board includes: Thomas Bradbury, Ph.D. (UCLA), John Cacioppo, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), David Kenny, Ph.D. (University of Connecticut), Bruce McEwen, Ph.D. (Rockefeller University), and Linda Waite, Ph.D. (University of Chicago).
The full article was originally published at PR Newswire, but is no longer available.
Once again....
Before eHarmony's "lab" starts offering new "testing" products, it should fix what it currently offers in its standard questionnaire, because that "test" and its matching rationale and analytics do not even approach meeting professional testing standards. Interested readers and reporters should 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.
In fact, eHarmony should finally heed the pressure from the academic community, which has repeatedly called for them to publish research in support of its public claims. Chemistry.com should do this as well. I agree with Kathryn Lord that Chemistry has exploited an edge over eHarmony that people have talked about for years now, but to me there is an even more fundamental question: Are the "tests" being advertised as "scientific" by online dating sites even valid to begin with, or are they simply smoke and mirrors?!
Sites like Chemistry and eHarmony that cater to long-term relationships should be very careful in claims, because so far there has been no credible evidence offered to substantitate the validity of the products that form the core of their business and membership.
Thanks,
James Houran, Ph.D.
Online Dating Magazine
Posted by: James Houran | May 25, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof-This is real science. However, just because something is not proven scientifically does not mean it is not true. It simply means it is not proven. Perhaps their claims can be soften to "could" or "might". At the end of the day, I think most people like taking these tests, and it is good marketing in any event.
Posted by: We can outsource your Profile Approval process | May 29, 2007 at 07:06 AM
Curious to see what cutting edge research this lab is engaged in, I tried out The Marriage Clock. What a negative cold way to collect survey information on potential customers! I think the results I got don't reflect my or other single women's reality at all. Call me a romantic Pollyanna, but I know that marriage happens based on a lot of other factors other than statistics.
Posted by: Pearl Chen | May 30, 2007 at 03:44 PM