Psychological vs. Astrological Compatibility – Which is Better for Finding a Partner?

Global Dating Insights is delighted to share a guest post from Natalia Sergovantseva, co-founder of the dating app SoulMatcher.

If you’ve been actively dating lately, you’ve probably had to answer a ton of questions about your zodiac sign or exact time of birth. This is not surprising at all, given that astrology and numerology have become quite popular ways of assessing one’s compatibility with a potential partner.

According to YouGov’s poll, for instance, almost a quarter of US citizens pay attention to the zodiac signs, date of birth, or even the name of a potential partner when dating. Experiences prove those statistics. Your first date with someone you’ve just matched on a dating app is almost guaranteed to involve an astrology-related question. 

Such questions, of course, are also frequently asked while texting. According to the same study, about 30 percent of women tend to believe in astrology. While we might believe that astrology and numerology are feminine hobbies due to a long-standing stereotype, statistics prove us wrong – men aren’t far behind. Specifically, more than 25 percent of men believe in astrology, too.

But why do people believe in astrology in the first place? There is a psychological phenomenon revolving around humans being keen on finding personal meaning in general personality assessments or predictions of their future. Psychological studies indicate that this phenomenon is especially relevant to all forms of divination, prophecies, and personality assessments (such as the so-called “Love Language”, if we’re specifically talking about relationships) that provide imprecise or broad portraits of an individual’s nature. 

Furthermore, several elements strengthen this impact and raise the probability that someone will take astrology seriously:

• Personalization: Saying that a message or phrase is “for you” can boost acceptance of a personality test or fortune prediction. People are more inclined to trust a prediction if it relates to a particular individual (e.g., born at a specific time under a specific sign) rather than the broader population;

• Positivity: Studies reveal that individuals are more receptive to positive predictions than negative ones, or positive assessments of an individual’s personality traits that astrology assigns to people of particular signs;

• Individual traits: There is evidence to imply that an individual’s susceptibility to this phenomenon is determined by their innate personality features. People who, for instance, have a stronger need for acceptance from others or have an external locus of control (a psychological trait that shows a person’s tendency to believe in external factors or forces, such as the alignment of the stars, playing a more significant role in their lives than innate characteristics) could be more receptive to imprecise personality evaluations or future predictions regarding themselves and their significant others.

Even though you might be skeptical about astrology and numerology, and consider them delusional and lacking evidence, there is no denying that many people, often without realizing it, tend to trust them to some extent. This suggests that in modern-day dating we should not completely ignore or neglect the influence of astrology and numerology.

One such startup is an interesting tech startup called Inzodiac, which is incubated at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.  Inzodiac’s mission is to eclipse uncertainty and manifest deeper, more meaningful connections in love, life and work through technology, self-discovery and the age-old power of astrology.  In 2023, Inzodiac was listed as a Top 50 Startup at the World Festival Startup Awards with founder Gavin Prime then a finalist for ‘Technology Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. 

Gavin Prime articulates “In times of uncertainty, people search for a different way to view the world, and human connections.  Astrology is the language of the stars, it’s a guide, helping people understand themselves, and others.  Inzodiac matches users based on their star sign compatibility, our vision is to reconnect the world to the stars, and each other”.  This approach finds validation in a 2019 Glamour magazine report on the dating app Bumble, which identified the star sign filter as the most popular feature across all markets.

But are there more evidence-based approaches to choosing a partner? Luckily, there are. Psychological compatibility assessment is a decent example. This method, although not without its flaws, allows you to assess the key traits of the partner’s personality, such as basic values, needs, reactions to everyday situations, and other things that are important when it comes to the relationship. 

A simple yet genius quote by Helen Fisher, an American anthropologist, neuroscientist, and researcher of human behavior patterns, has become quite famous in this regard: “Research shows that couples who have a lot of similarities, including intellectual compatibility, end up staying together”.

This is why many dating apps include all kinds of psychological tests and assessments nowadays. The new dating app SoulMatcher, employs an innovative approach, blending standard personality assessments with evaluations from a user’s own social circle. This dual-method ensures a more authentic understanding of an individual, overcoming the common issue of manipulated or socially biased test results. 

At SoulMatcher, we don’t just match profiles, we delve into the psychology of our users. We focus on mental health diversity, as it provides a deeper impression of the person you will be dating and impacts the prospects of having a successful long-term relationship.

SoulMatcher also provides insights into critical personality traits such as borderline tendencies, narcissism levels, and empathy, factors often overlooked but vital in relationship dynamics. This depth of analysis equips users with the knowledge to make well-informed choices in their search for a compatible partner, marking a significant advancement in the online dating experience.

Does this mean you should forget about astrology completely? If you think it’s something important and works for you – you shouldn’t. However, if you are looking for a lasting and meaningful relationship, you should not overlook psychological compatibility either.

Find out more about SoulMatcher on its website here, or listen to this episode of The GDI Podcast with Natalia Sergovantseva.