From Texting to Tangible: When Online Communicators Meet Offline

Abstract

Online dating platforms are a popular method of meeting potential romantic partners, but only a few studies have looked at what happens when online communicators choose to meet face-to-face (FtF). Walther’s Hyperpersonal Model of computer-mediated communication (CMC) argues that communicators often form idealized perspectives of their online partner due to the ease of curating a positive self-image through CMC. The modality switching perspective then suggests that this idealized perspective can lead to violated expectations when the relationship moves offline, as reality does not often match the perception individuals have mentally formed through CMC. Through in-depth interviews, this study uses qualitative analysis to evaluate the validity of this scenario suggested by both the hyperpersonal model and the modality switching perspective.

Keywords

Interpersonal communication / on-line dating / hyperpersonal model / modality switching

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