Cyberspace Romances

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that online dating companies promote the idea that users can find and develop romances over the Internet. The paper points out that the effect of the Internet on loneliness is a contentious topic and concludes that the reported research contends that the the Internet simply offers an online extension of the offline dating environment. People who are socially unable to form connections offline also have difficulty in forming relationships on the Internet.

From the Paper:

"Seepersad (2004) and Williams' (2000) findings seem to suggest that the Internet may not be an effective way for those with avoidant tendencies to find love online. Seepersad (2004) notes that those with avoidant tendencies will simply continue to be lonely online. Williams (2000) notes that the Internet is a powerful agent for exclusion and ostracism. As such, individuals who cannot successfully build romantic relationships and avoid loneliness offline will be unlikely to do so online."

Sample of Sources Used:

• John A Bargh, Katelyn Y. A McKenna, Grainne M Fitzsimons. 2002. Can You See the Real Me? Activation and Expression of the "True Self" on the Internet. Journal of Social Issues 58 (1), 33-48.
• Ellison, Nicole, Heino, Rebecca and Gibbs, Jennifer. 2006. Managing Impressions Online: Self-Presentation Processes in the Online Dating Environment. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Vol.11, No. 2, 415-441.
• Scott, VM, Mottarella, KE, and Lavooy, MJ. 2006. Does virtual intimacy exist? A brief exploration into reported levels of intimacy in online relationships. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2006 Dec.9 (6):759-61.
• Williams, Kipling, D., Cheung, Christopher K., and Choi, Wilma. 2000. Cyberostracism: Effects of Being Ignored Over the Internet. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2000, Vol. 79, No. 5, 748-762.
• Greenfield, Patricia Marks and Subrahmanyamb, Kaveri. 2003. Online discourse in a teen chatroom: New codes and new modes of coherence in a visual medium. Applied Developmental Psychology 24 (2003) 713-738.

More papers on Cyberspace Romances:

• Term Paper # 133065 : "Literature Review: Feminism in Cyberspace"
• Research Paper # 86230 : "Cyberspace"
• Analytical Essay # 133060 : "Gender Issues in Cyberspace"

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