Download Full PDF Package. Translate PDF. Online dating services vary according to how they connect users with partners. com allow users to identify poten- tial partners on their own, using keyword searches for desired partner characteristics.

com use mathematical algorithms to identify suitable potential partners. Hybrid Web sites e. Online dating is the latest development in a long history of media use for dating and matrimony. Its precursors are the newspaper personal advertisement, used as early as the s, and video dating, which emerged in the s and involved video cassette recordings. Whereas newspaper ads and video dating accounted for a negligible percentage of romantic unions, online dating has gained remarkable prominence, both in terms of attracting users and generating successful relationships.

Importantly, marriages originating online were found to have a lower rate of divorce and higher rate of marital satisfaction than those originating offline, although effect sizes were small Cacioppo et al. Correspondingly, the scholarly literature has been concerned with both the mechanics and outcomes of online dating. A foundational issue addressed by the literature is who uses online dating, in terms of demographic and psychological characteristics.

The reverse process of impression formation and mate selection based on online dating profiles has also been examined. Finally, an incip- ient line of research has assessed the success of online dating, although the factors that explain it are yet to be identified. The International Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Communication, First Edition. Edited by Charles R. Berger and Michael E.

Although online dating has shed its stigma in the last decade, the question of whether a certain kind of person is more likely to turn to online dating has persisted. The access hypothesis postulates that online dating attracts those who have difficulty meeting potential partners face to face because they have limited time e.

Although research has found support for these predictions Cacioppo et al. However, those high in sociability and low in dating anxiety were more active in the online dating arena. More research is necessary to investigate whether these individuals also experi- ence better outcomes from online dating.

Impression management is appealing because it can help daters stand out and gain attention from potential mates. Research shows that online daters resolve this tension by presenting elements of their ideal self—an enhanced yet attainable version of self Ellison et al. An explicit study of the prevalence of deception in online dating profiles shows that deception occurs frequently, but it is small in magnitude. Specifically, asynchronicity allows them to take all the time they need for profile construction, editability allows them to revise and refine claims until they are optimal, and the reallocation of cognitive resources allows them to dedicate all their attention and thought to profile construction.

Mate selection in online dating A small body of research has begun to investigate how online daters form impressions of others based on profiles, and how they choose whom to date. Another study found that participants think of online dating as a virtual market, where numerous potential mates are available, and desired ones can be found simply by entering partner specifications into search boxes.

Mate selection through online dating has also been explained through an evolu- tionary theory lens, with hardwired preferences e. The effects emerged even when controlling for variables known to affect marriage outcomes, such as length of relationship, age, ethnicity, education, household income, and employment status.

However, it is yet unknown what aspects of the online dating process cause superior outcomes for online couples. Theories of intimate relationships purport that romantic success is contingent on a individual characteristics of the partners i. This compatibility appears to be operationalized as homophily, or similarity between individuals, although it is possible that it also contains elements of complementarity.

These claims have not yet been empirically tested. It is then possible that the success of online dating cannot be accounted for by matching algorithms after all, and is the result of other, yet to be investigated, features. Future research is necessary to investigate this possibility. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, , — doi: Managing impressions online: Self presentation processes in the online dating environment.

Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 11, — x Finkel, E. Online dating: A critical analysis from the perspective of psychological science. Until then, I would love to hear your thoughts! Why do you think online dating produces more satisfying long-term relationships? For those of you who have used online dating, how do your relationships that began online compare to those that began offline? Pew Report Cacioppo, J.

Marital satisfaction and break-ups differ across on-line and off-line meeting venues. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, , Catalina Toma, Ph. But who we end up becoming and how much we like that person are more in our control than we tend to think they are.

Catalina Toma Ph. Virtual You. The Success of Online Dating Looking for love in all the right places? Part 1 Posted May 29, Share. About the Author. Online: My university webpage , Facebook , Twitter. Read Next. Back Psychology Today. Back Find a Therapist. Get Help Find a Therapist Find a Treatment Center Find a Psychiatrist Find a Support Group Find Teletherapy Members Login Sign Up United States Austin, TX Brooklyn, NY Chicago, IL Denver, CO Houston, TX Los Angeles, CA New York, NY Portland, OR San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Washington, DC.

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Could there be too many fish in the sea? When it comes to online dating, that might be the case, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Too many choices may not be good when it comes to online dating, a new study says. What they found was that a week after making their selection, online daters who chose from a large set of potential partners i. Those who selected from a large pool and had the ability to reverse their choice were the least satisfied with their selected partner after one week.

With relationships, the stakes — and the potential regret — are higher. Researchers point to the role of counterfactual thinking: Having more choices allows people to generate counterfactuals, or evaluative thoughts about the merits of the discarded alternatives i.

Unlike objects such as pens and chocolates, their study shows, online dating is an experience, and one that unfolds over time. With pens or chocolates, one gets to sample them immediately after selecting them.

With online dating, it takes time to actually experience the date. That gives time to think about whether that other grass might be greener. Studies continue to show that more and more long-term relationships start online — and the stigma that once existed against online dating has diminished.

Toma started researching online dating in The landscape has changed greatly, Toma says, with the emergence of many niche dating site as well as mobile dating apps. Tags: communication arts , research. edu , ; Catalina Toma, ctoma wisc. edu , University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Online dating study shows too many choices can lead to dissatisfaction June 13, By Käri Knutson For news media More information. Share via Facebook. Share via Twitter. Share via Linked In. Share via email. You may also like…. Byzantine skeleton yields year-old genomes from a fatal infection. Analysis: Gender differences in depression appear at age A video game can change the brain, may improve empathy in middle schoolers.

Talk to Someone Find a Therapist Find a Treatment Center Find a Psychiatrist Find a Support Group Find Teletherapy. About Press Blog People Papers Topics Job Board We're Hiring! Click here to sign up. Edited by Charles R. Mate selection through online dating has also been explained through an evolu- tionary theory lens, with hardwired preferences e. The Success of Online Dating Looking for love in all the right places? Its precursors are the newspaper personal advertisement, used as early as the s, and video dating, which emerged in the s and involved video cassette recordings.

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