Self-Presentation in Online Personals

TLDR

The study extends theory on computer‑mediated communication, self‑disclosure, and relational success to mixed‑mode relationships where participants transition from mediated to face‑to‑face interaction. The authors investigate self‑disclosure in online dating relationships, extending theory to mixed‑mode contexts. Using a national random sample of 349 Match.com members, the authors tested a model linking relational goals, self‑disclosure, and perceived online dating success. The results confirm social penetration, social information processing, and hyperpersonal theories, show that anticipated future face‑to‑face interaction increases online self‑disclosure, and that perceived online dating success is predicted by honesty, amount, intent, and valence of self‑disclosure (with honesty negatively affecting success), while online dating experience and strategic versus self‑presentation success predictors are also identified.

Abstract

This study investigates self-disclosure in the novel context of online dating relationships. Using a national random sample of Match.com members ( N = 349), the authors tested a model of relational goals, self-disclosure, and perceived success in online dating. The authors’ findings provide support for social penetration theory and the social information processing and hyperpersonal perspectives as well as highlight the positive effect of anticipated future face-to-face interaction on online self-disclosure. The authors find that perceived online dating success is predicted by four dimensions of self-disclosure (honesty, amount, intent, and valence), although honesty has a negative effect. Furthermore, online dating experience is a strong predictor of perceived success in online dating. Additionally, the authors identify predictors of strategic success versus self-presentation success. This research extends existing theory on computer-mediated communication, self-disclosure, and relational success to the increasingly important arena of mixed-mode relationships, in which participants move from mediated to face-to-face communication.