Can Double Dating Help Your Relationship?

Recent studies have shown that while most people prefer one-on-one dates, a small but growing number of Americans are more interested in group dating, even for a first date. Perhaps because it takes some of the initial pressure off of keeping conversation flowing, or maybe because you can meet more than one potential single guy if you go with a dating site like Grouper.

But could there be another benefit of group dating for those already in relationships?

According to a recent study reported by DatingAdvice.com, double dating could actually help improve your relationship and connection with your partner.

The study was conducted by Richard Slatcher, an assistant psychology professor from Wayne State University. Slatcher recruited 150 couples for his research, all of whom were either dating or married for at least a year. They split the couples into two groups for two similar studies.

Double dates were conducted in the lab between couples who did not know each other prior to the experiment. The couples were given relationship questionnaires both before and after each date.

The questionnaires served a double purpose for the dates – in addition to Slatcher and his team collecting information for the study, they provided open-ended questions to spark conversation during the date. “What was the most embarrassing moment in your life?” and “What is your idea of a perfect day?” were two examples given.

“Opening up about your thoughts and feelings can increase feelings of passionate love,” Slatcher said. “When you and your partner are opening up to this other couple, the extent to which the other couple really responds to you in a way that conveys understanding and is really validating of you increases your feelings of passionate love toward your own partner.”

In other words, couples tended to feel validated about their own thoughts, beliefs, and form a deeper level of connection when talking about these things with another couple.

And maybe, you find out new things about your partner when you're in a group setting sharing life stories and ambitions, compared to a typical night of having dinner with your SO and talking about what happened at work that day.

So, if you’re in a relationship it seems that group dating might actually help break the ice with your partner, at least in terms of having a connection and memorable conversation, rather than if it was just the two of you.

The study will be discussed at a gathering in Austin, Texas at the annual conference of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.