Online dating has just been revealed to be one of the most common ways to start a relationship. But new research reveals that the concept is still highly flawed.

據稱，網上約會是開啟戀情的一種最常見的方式，然而新研究揭示這一想法大錯特錯。

An analysis of 400 studies into online dating shows that while it offers access to plenty of other singles, users can be overwhelmed and put off by the volume of choice, defeating the purpose.

一項對400份網上約會資料的分析報告顯示，盡管網絡交友給許多單身者提供了機會，但用戶們在大量選擇面前會感到不知所措，甚至想逃離，違背了網絡交友的本意。

The research, by Northwestern University and published in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest, found that the processes involved don't lend themselves to forming strong relationships.

美國西北大學發表在《公眾利益心理學》期刊上的這一研究發現，網上約會并沒有幫助人們建立牢固的關系。

The findings also indicated that the concept of an online profile is not entirely useful and 'can result in the objectification of potential partners'.

研究結果還表明，網上個人簡介也沒那么有用，而且“可能造成對潛在伴侶的物化”。

Lead author Eli J Finkel explained: 'Online dating is a terrific addition for singles to meet. That said, there are two problems.'

該研究報告的主要作者伊萊•J•芬克爾解釋說：“網上約會是單身男女相遇的一個極佳的輔助渠道。盡管如此，還是存在兩個問題。”

First, poring over seemingly endless lists of profiles of people one does not know, as on Match.com, does not reveal much about them.

他說，首先，像Match.com那樣的網站上陌生人的個人簡介似乎多得數不清，但就算認真看了這些簡介，對這些人依然知之甚少。

Second, it 'overloads people and they end up shutting down,' he said.

其次，這么多個人資料“讓人們的大腦超載，最后只好罷工”。

He compared it to shopping at 'supermarkets of love' and said psychological research shows people presented with too many choices tend to make lazy and often poor decisions.

他將這種情況比喻成在“愛情超市”購物。芬克爾說，心理研究顯示，當人們面臨太多選擇時，往往會隨便做決定，做出的決定則通常很糟糕。

The study's authors also questioned the algorithms employed by sites such as eHarmony.com to match people based on their interests or personality - comparing it to having a real estate agent of love.

研究的作者們還質疑eHarmony.com等網站提出的一種算法，即根據人們的興趣或個性做出配對，研究者將其比喻成愛情的房產中介。

While the algorithm may reduce the number of potential partners from thousands to a few, they may be as incompatible as two people meeting at random, Dr Finkel explained, adding the odds are no better than finding a relationship by strolling into any bar.

芬克爾博士解釋說，這種算法也許能把成千上萬個潛在對象減少到幾個，但是這幾個人也有可能像兩個偶遇的人一樣互不相容。芬克爾補充說，靠這一算法找對象的機會并不比隨意走進一家酒吧去找對象的機會更大。

'There's no better way to figure out whether you're compatible with somebody than talking to them over a cup of coffee or a pint of beer,' Dr Finkel said.

芬克爾博士說：“要想知道你和一個人是否處得來，沒有比一起喝杯咖啡或啤酒，當面交談更好的方法。”