When Online Dating Partners Meet Offline: The Effect of Modality Switching on Relational Communication between Online Daters
When Online Dating Partners Meet Offline: The Effect of Modality Switching on Relational Communication between Online Daters
Artemio Ramirez, Erin M. (Bryant) Sumner, Christina Fleuriet, Megan Cole, When Online Dating Partners Meet Offline: The Effect of Modality Switching on Relational Communication between Online Daters, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Volume 20, Issue 1, , Pages 99–114,
Abstract
Despite the popularity of online dating sites, little is known about what occurs when online dating partners choose to communicate offline. Drawing upon the modality switching perspective, the present study assessed besthookupwebsites.org/dil-mil-review/ a national sample of online daters to determine whether face-to-face (FtF) relational outcomes could be predicted by the amount of online communication prior to the initial FtF meeting. Results were consistent with the hypothesized curvilinear relationship between the amount of online communication and perceptions of relational messages (intimacy, composure, informality, social orientation), forecasts of the future of the relationship, and information seeking behavior when meeting their partner FtF. The results provide support for the modality switching perspective, and offer important insight for online daters.
Once stigmatized as rife with deception and desperation, online dating services such as have become popular venues for adults to meet potential romantic partners. Data from the PEW Internet and Daily Live project reveals that 11% of online adults, and 74% of single adults seeking romantic relationships have used an online dating service ( Madden & Lenhart, 2006). As of , Match reports that one in five new relationships, and one in six new marriages occur between partners who met using an online dating service.