What does Daniel Cox's research say about giving someone a second date?

Daniel Cox's surveys asked whether people would give someone a second chance after a bad first date. If the pair met online, almost everyone said no. If they met through mutual friends, people were more willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Men were more likely than women to offer a second chance. Cox argues a shared social circle adds stability because more people are invested in a couple working out.

• Cox says dating apps force judgments on thin, performative information, with no way to see how someone treats strangers or handles stress.
• Cox finds men with more close friends are more likely to have dated recently or be in a committed relationship.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on Modern Wisdom (2026-10-22). Read the whole episode summary →

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