Love Island is perfect example of ‘paradox of choice’ but fans watch because it’s ‘relatable’
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island has become a controversial show over the years. However, a dating expert has weighed in on why we just cannot stop watching, claiming it’s the perfect example of too much choice. Love Island contestants claim they’re on the island for love, but the finalists end up winning £50K. Matchmaker, Michelle G, has […]
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island has become a controversial show over the years. However, a dating expert has weighed in on why we just cannot stop watching, claiming it’s the perfect example of too much choice.
Love Island contestants claim they’re on the island for love, but the finalists end up winning £50K. Matchmaker, Michelle G, has told Reality Tidbit why the ITV show isn’t always successful.
Love Island provides ‘paradox of choice’
Love Island has one main problem, and for matchmaker Michelle G, it’s the “paradox of choice”. Islanders have the choice of at least six potential partners in the villa, which actually prevents them from choosing.
She explains how this idea creates false expectations for fans, who wouldn’t necessarily have that many people to choose from in one space, where they cannot just ghost whoever they don’t fancy.
Michelle said, “There are too many people, which is why they contain the group where it is, meaning they don’t make a decision.” But she does say islanders are vulnerable with their feelings, like in the real world.
Matchmaker claims show is ‘relatable’
Michelle has revealed the one reason viewers are so addicted to Love Island, and one chemical released while watching is dopamine. But the real reason a certain couple wins is because they’re relatable.
“People have to see themselves in that couple. They see them as their goal and where they want to be. For those in a relationship, they’re like, ‘That’s us,’ and people feel they can identify with them,” she said.
The matchmaker says single people will develop an idea of what they want, making it feel like the viewer is “dating with them”. They can be influenced by different perspectives, like the idea of wanting children.
‘False expectations’ for viewers
As the contestants are kept in a bubble for eight weeks, if they last the full stretch, they can create “false and unrealistic expectations” for viewers. For one, they cannot choose to ghost each other at all.
In the real world, Michelle talks about how someone wouldn’t typically have to live or see someone they’ve decided to stop dating every day, as islanders do once they recouple with another star.
She said, “It draws fans to the idea of an eight-week playhouse to do the things they want without them being able to ghost them. In this scenario, you get to be in multiple relationships to see which fits best.”
WATCH LOVE ISLAND ON ITV2 EVERY DAY AT 9 PM