ABSTRACT
People often enter romantic relationships without much planning or effort. They may fall in love with the girl or boy next door; the familiar and friendly co-worker becomes more than a co-worker; the casual “hook-up” develops into a meaningful relationship; or attraction develops for a friend of a friend, likely with the assistance and support of the friend. The entrance stage of relationships, however, sometimes involves considerable effort, planning, and searching, and can be motivated by an intense desire to be coupled. When the desire to be in a relationship is intense, and traditional channels for finding mates are unsuccessful, people may seek formal assistance to increase the likelihood that they find a suitable partner. Formal assistance may also be sought by those who are or could be successful in finding a partner in traditional settings, but who desire to cast a wide net and have a large pool of options.
