Finding “The One”: Compatibility & Relationship Science

From dating apps and reality TV to advice from friends and family, we're constantly told what makes two people compatible. But relationship scientists have spent decades studying a surprisingly simple question: what actually predicts whether a relationship will last?

In this lecture, Dr. Annika From, a relationship researcher at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, explores what psychology research can tell us about romantic compatibility. Drawing on decades of studies, she examines some of the most common beliefs about relationships, including whether opposites attract, how much similarity matters, and whether attraction can grow over time.

This talk separates popular dating myths from scientific evidence and explores what researchers have learned about the factors that truly contribute to happy, healthy, and long-lasting relationships.