THE SCIENCE BEHIND MARRIED

This week sees the final of Three’s hit show Married at First Sight. The series has come a long way in four seasons and went on steroids this time round, attracting some social media criticism over perceptions that contestants were only interested in fame. That hasn’t fazed clinical neuropsychotherapist, Sydney based Dr Trisha Stratford, PhD, a Kiwi who was born and bred in Wellington and has lived in Auckland where she has an apartment in which she intends to retire to. “I am all about the brain in my role on the show. “From day one this season, we found the best people from the 5000 entries and scientifically found all sorts of reasons they should be matched — that still includes the pheromone testing and a raft of other experiments done by myself, Dr John Aiken and

Dr Melissa Schilling.

“We hope our choices find love — but I also love the idea of the show being a social experiment, showing viewers all types of situations to learn from — men seeing the guys talk about their feelings with each other as well as the sisterhood from the girls.

“The biggest emotion that seems to bond contestants is trust: that is what worked for Season One’s Zoe Hendrix and Alex Garner (who are now married for real with a child) and I think has been essential for this season’s successful love birds Simon McQuillan and Alene Khatcheri.”

After a drama merry-go-round, this Wednesday is the MAFS’ reunion. Stratford assured us the best thing that comes out of the show for everyone is that important emotional closure.

Kiwis get ready, there are whispers of a New Zealand — show and if it happens, Dr Trisha is keen to help play matchmaker.