Heart Signals: The Change of Relationship from Virtual to Reality in China

Abstract

Individuals who used both Chinese and Western online dating websites and apps were examined in the context of modality switching, moving from Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) to Face-to-Face (FtF). Berger and Calabrese’s Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT) was used to view the interaction. This study extends upon research conducted in the USA by Reints and Wickelgren (2018). Using qualitative research methods that included 12 participants, interviewees were asked about online dating platform use that moved from CMC to FtF. Results showed a change in uncertainty when the relationship moved from CMC (minimal anxiety) to FtF (increase anxiety).

Keywords

Uncertainty Reduction Theory / online dating / computer-mediated communication / face-to-face communication

References

[1] Antheunis, Marjolin L.; Valkenburg, Patti M. & Peter, Jochen. (2010). Getting acquainted through social network sites: Testing a model of online uncertainty reduction and social attraction. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(1), 100-109.

[2] Berger, Charles R. (1979). Beyond initial interaction: Uncertainty, understanding, and the development of interpersonal relationships. Language and social psychology, 122-144.

[3] Berger, Charles R. & Calabrese, Richard. J. (1975). Some explorations in initial interaction and beyond: Toward a developmental theory of interpersonal communication. Human communication research, 1(2), 99-112.

[4] Fine, Michelle. (1994). Working the hyphens: Reinventing self and other in qualitative research. In Handbook of qualitative research, 70-82.

[5] Gibbs, Jeniffer L.; Ellison, Nicole B. & Lai, Chih—Hua. (2010). First comes love, then comes Google: An investigation of uncertainty reduction strategies and self—disclosure in online dating. Communication Research, 38(1), 70-100. doi: 10.1177/0093650210377091

[6] Granovetter, Mark. (1976). Network sampling: Some first steps. American Journal of Sociology, 81(6), 1287-1303.

[7] Kashdan, Todd B.; McKnight, Patrick E.; Fincham, Frank D. & Rose, Paul. (2011). When curiosity breeds intimacy: Taking advantage of intimacy opportunities and transforming boring conversations. Journal of Personality, 79(6), 1369-1402. doi: j.1467—6494.2010.00697.x

[8] Madden, Mary & Lenhart, Amanda. (2006). Online dating. Washington, DC: Pew Internet and American Life Project. Retrieved from: www.pewinternet.org%2Fwp—content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F9%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FReports%2F2006%2FPIP_Online_Dating.pdf.pdf, i—27

[9] Morris, Merdith R.; Teevan, Jaime & Panovich, Katrina. (2010). What do people ask their social networks, and why? A survey study of status message q&a behavior. In proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on human factors in computing systems, 1739-1748.

[10] Nagging parents help China’s on line dating sites flourish. (May 3, 2018). Nikkei Asian Review (Japan). Retrieved from https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentitem:5SH9—1V61—JBWB—X3T9—00000—00&context=1516831.

[11] Ramirez, Artemio; Sumner, Erin M.; Fleuriet, Christina & Cole, Megan. (2015). When online dating partners meet offline: The effect of modality switching on relational communication between online daters. Journal of Computer—Mediated Communication, 20(1), 99-114.

[12] Ramirez, Artemio; Walther, Joseph B.; Burgoon, Judee K. & Sunnafrank, Michael. (2002). Information seeking strategies, uncertainty, and computer—mediated communication: Toward a conceptual model. Human Communication Research, 28, 213-228.

[13] Ramirez, Artermio & Wang, Zuoming. (2008). When online meets offline: An expectancy violations theory perspective on modality switching. Journal of Communication, 58(1), 20-39.

[14] Ramirez, Artemio & Zhang, Shuangyue. (2007). When online meets offline: The effect of modality switching on relational communication. Communication Monographs, 74(3), 287-310.

[15] Reints, Renae E. & Wickelgren, Bruce F. (2018). From texting to tangible: When online communicators meet offline. Unpublished study, Suffolk University, Boston, MA.

[16] Sprecher, Susan & Hampton, Adam. J. (2017). Liking and other reactions after a get—acquainted interaction: A comparison of continuous face—to—face interaction versus interaction that progresses from text messages to face—to—face. Communication Quarterly, 65(3), 333-353.

[17] Walther, Joseph B. (1996). Computer—mediated communication: Impersonal, interpersonal, and hyperpersonal interaction. Communication Research, 23(1), 3-43.

[18] Whitty, Monica T. & Carr, Adrian N. (2006). Cyberspace romance: The psychology of online relationships. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

[19] Yum, Young—Ok & Hara, Kazuya. (2005). Computer—mediated relationship development: A cross—cultural comparison. Journal of Computer—Mediated Communication, 11(1), 133-152.