Motif Penggunaan Dating Apps di Kalangan Mahasiswa Ilmu Komunikasi Angkatan 2021 Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Finding a soulmate is one of the most important things for anyone who wants to build a long-term life with the opposite sex. There are several ways to find a soulmate by utilizing digital technology to improve human performance, including in the field of communication. Online dating has become popular because these applications allow users to meet many new people and form friendships. The research method used in this study is descriptive qualitative. The theory used in this study is the S-O-R theory and also Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Based on the results of the study, Communication Science students from the 2021 intake of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang use dating applications for various motives related to psychological needs. The main motives found include: the need for entertainment and leisure time (physiological), a sense of security when interacting (security), the desire to have friends or a partner (affection and belonging), the drive to gain validation and recognition (self-esteem), and the desire to explore oneself and experience new experiences (self-actualization).