The Internet has arguably been the most significant aspect of technological, economic and social evolution in the past century. What was limited to being a beneficial component of American national security, has blossomed into the worldwide information super highway and focal point for businesses, governments and individuals around the world. Perhaps, most notably, the Internet has evolved into an international social microcosm, where online communities are born, social networks thrive, and even romantic partners are found. “…the invention of the Internet does not merely give a new tool for information collection and circulation; it creates a virtual world that awakens and develops nations”
In the examination of these developing cyber civilizations and virtual worlds, it becomes apparent that the conventional means and methods of attaining and sustaining a romantic relationship are now accompanied by a new, increasingly popular medium. The Internet is emerging as a social technology, which is responsible for this new genre of interpersonal relationships, that twenty years ago, would have only been accomplished primarily through face-to-face interaction.
[...] This greater emotional investment can conclude in a stronger commitment to work through disagreements in order to maintain the relationship. While cyber relationship is still a very young practice, it is increasing in popularity and affectivity, and will one day perhaps be the preferred method of finding and initiating romance. Bibliography: Merkle, Erich R. and Richardson, Rhonda A. Digital Dating and Virtual Relating: Conceptualizing Computer Mediated Romantic Relationships, Family Relations, Vol No (April 2000) pp. 187-192, National Council on Family Relations Donn, Jessica E. [...]
[...] this premise of psychological reward as a determinant for positive outcomes in a relationship can be further delineated into two separate ideas, minimax and equity, which collectively address the extent to which relationships are fulfilling at the cost of being emotionally taxing.”[4] The term minimax refers to minimizing the cost or sacrifice and maximizing the rewards produced from human interaction. This suggests that successful relationships gives us more than they take. The term equity in this case implies, that the effort put into a relationship is proportional to outcome. [...]
[...] Because of this, ‘social cues' of rich media are necessary in order to supplement for the cues lost from the lack of physical interaction. As a cyber relationship grows, the absence of physical and visual cues remain to be desired, therefore leaving the communicators hungry for a variety of signs serving as evidence for true information that is necessary for acquiring trust and the overall maintenance and development of the relationship. In any relationship, the consistency of behavioral pattern is paramount for the detection of truth or lies. [...]
[...] As individuals from earlier generations become more accustomed and comfortable with the Internet and what it has to offer, they have increasingly begun to utilize dating sites. My mother, who is 53 and divorced has described dating in mid life as “difficult with a full time career, kids, and no desire to go out to bars and meet people.” She has become a member of the Match.com dating website, and has described her experience with it to be convenient and rewarding.” She continues by saying that our society, once you enter middle age, romance is not easily acquired, especially for women single middle-aged men are often mainly interested in significantly younger women. [...]
[...] Attitudes and Practices Regarding the Formation of Romantic Relationships on the Internet, Cyber Psychology & Behavior, Vol number Mary Ann Lieberst, Inc. Donn, Jessica E. M.A and Sherman, Richard C. Ph.D. Attitudes and Practices Regarding the Formation of Romantic Relationships on the Internet, Cyber Psychology & Behavior, Vol number Mary Ann Lieberst, Inc. H.P. Grice cited in Wang, Hong and Lu, Zin-An Cyberdating: Misinformation and (Dis)trust in Online Interaction, Informing Science Journal, Vol Shippensburg, PA Donn, Jessica E. M.A and Sherman, Richard C. [...]
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