Angelyn Gan 13:59, 27 Oct 2005 (EST)
Contents |
The computer is considered as a physical presence in the online dating sphere. The new technologies of web communication create an intangible space that facilitates the growth of relationships and emotional investment (Robins and Webster, 1999). The technologies, such as avatars, audio messaging, webcam and Voice over IP applications, create a more humane connection that penetrates the detached nature of the virtual domain. Traditionally, users could only use text to express emotions, which Greenfield (2005) argues does not reveal context and facial cues, however with the introduction of these new features, users are allowed to further express their emotions in sound and images.
The virtual space provides a refuge for individuals who are unconfident or ashamed of such “imperfections�? like physical appearance. When people log onto Cyberspace, they are either consciously or subconsciously entering a psychological space. (Surler, 1999) The technological paradigm shift allows individuals with low self esteem to socialise freely with strangers, and not be limited by certain issues that arise outside the virtual arena. They are given the opportunity to meet new people and further established relationships. The shift can boost the confidence of individuals, enabling them to reveal hidden sides of character, and share intimate secrets and emotions. This phenomenon is known as the Online Disinhibition Effect. The Online Disinhibition Effect is attributed to the liberation of expressing the true identity without the fear of being judged.
The emotions invested when communicating with one another assists the development of a relationship. There are instances where individuals meet their life partners through online dating sites and claim they have fallen in love with the ‘real’ person inside because of the limitless nature of the virtual domain.
A degree of anonymity and invisibility of users (Surler, 1999) plays a significant role in online communication. The anonymity and invisibility factors can lead to deception and harm. These factors allow users to communicate with their chosen, and often false, persona and identity. As Jordan (1999: 88) argues, “identity fluidity supports the masquerades and experiments of avatars the ability to change gender, the ability to contact experts.�?
In a study conducted by Greenfield (2005), the results indicated “approximately 50% of web users admit to lying online — typically about physical characteristics and attributes.�? When an individual invest emotionally in the virtual sphere, the affects mirror the emotions experienced in reality. If an individual has lied about their identity or feelings, the other participant in the relationship will have the same feelings as felt in the non-virtual world.
However, often the users create false ‘realities’ of other users in the virtual realm. Individuals often ‘fill in the blanks’ because of the lack of physical interaction. Users can even become so immersed in these created ‘realities’ that the real world becomes less real to them.
Individuals can create false Virtual Identities for both themselves and other users they interact with. This disenchantment can lead to people investing emotions in an imaginary person, which in turn leads to disappointment.
Online Dating - Internet Chatrooms
Online Dating - Imagined Virtual Communities
Online Dating - Business Models
Online Dating - Service Providers
Virtual Identities - Social Psychology
Greenfield, D. (2005) Digital Dating: The Malt Shop of the Millennium [Online]. Retrieved on 15 October, 2005 from http://www.virtual-addiction.com/a_digitaldating.htm
Jordan, T. (1999) Cyberpower-The Culture and Politics of Cyberspace and the Internet, London:Routledge.
Robins, K.,& Webster, F. (1999). Times of Technoculture, London: Routledge. ISBN 0415161150
Surler, J. (1999) Hypothesis about online text relationships [Online]. Retrieved on 12 October, 2005 from http://www.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/textrel.html
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