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Monica T. Whitty (2015) — International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, volume 17, pp.212–216

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DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-08-097086-8.95089-x (opens in a new tab)

Country:   Global
Tags:   Computer Mediated Communication, Fake Profiles, Financial Fraud, Hyperpersonal Communication, Online Dating, Online Grooming, Romance Scams, Social Networking Sites
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Synopsis

            
This publication surveys how online environments have shaped romantic relationships since the Internet’s early days, challenging the notion that online ties are inherently shallow or unhealthy. It reviews competing theories that predicted online interactions would be less intimate or less beneficial, such as Social Presence and Social Context Cues, and contrasts them with later work that emphasizes how different online spaces—with their own norms and features—can foster a range of relationship trajectories. A central theme is that online dating and related sites do not constitute a single, uniform space; rather, they comprise varied environments that influence how people present themselves, build connections, and progress toward in-person meetings. The author traces theoretical developments that explain why online relationships can feel either authentic and intimate or more tentative, introducing concepts such as Social Information Processing, hyperpersonal communication, and the BAR model of self-presentation. The discussion highlights how online daters craft profiles, manage impressions, and engage in selective self-disclosure to balance attractiveness with perceived authenticity. The review also covers the transition from online interaction to offline dating, noting that relationships formed on dating sites often progress differently than traditional dating and may encounter distinct dynamics, such as longer periods of online communication before meeting. A substantial portion of the work is devoted to risks and negative outcomes, including the romance scam, which exploits hopeful online dating users through staged affection and financial deception. The analysis summarizes empirical findings on uncertainty reduction strategies used by scammers, the role of social networking sites in grooming victims, and the psychological impact on those affected. Overall, the article presents online dating as a multifaceted phenomenon whose effects depend on the specific online space, user behavior, and contextual factors, while acknowledging limitations in generalizing across different platforms and populations.

          

        
                  

            
Identified Gaps

            
The article indicates that no single theory adequately explains all online relationships because online spaces have different features and norms. It also suggests a need to understand how continuing technological change affects romantic relationship development and criminal exploitation. The article does not provide primary evidence testing romance-scam mechanisms across platforms.

          

        
                  

            
Methods

            
This encyclopedia article is a narrative theoretical review. It synthesizes prior empirical studies and theories of computer-mediated communication, online dating, and social networking, then applies hyperpersonal communication theory to previously reported online dating romance-scam practices and harms.

          

        
                  

            
Limitations

            
This is a broad secondary overview rather than a primary study of romance-scam victims or offenders. Its romance-scam discussion relies on prior work by Whitty and Buchanan and provides no sampling, analytic procedure, or independent outcome data in this article. Several claims concern online environments and studies predating the article, which may limit applicability to later platforms.

          

        
                  

            
Future Work

            
Future research should examine how evolving online platforms and their norms shape relationship formation and romance-scam risk, rather than applying a single theory across online spaces. It should also test whether newer communication features change grooming, trust, and victim harm.

          

              

    
    

        
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