Using economics to become a better Valentine

Paul Oyer, a professor of economics at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, offered tips on becoming a better Valentine through the use of economic principles.  

Via a blog post on the New York Times, Oyer suggests signaling love to a significant other by identifying a way to demonstrate that love. Signaling in economics means finding a way to show another you mean what you say. In this case, it could mean making a wasteful investment.

Another tip is to make yourself more attractive to your partner. This could be done through a haircut or sprucing up with a new dress.

Oyer also suggests loving a partner for who he or she is and not being overly focused on an idealized version of the right mate. Breakups, after all, are costly.

Read more from the New York Times.