The hyperpersonal effect in online dating: effects of text-based CMC vs. videoconferencing before meeting face-to-face

• Published in: Media psychology Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 820 - 839
• Main Authors: Antheunis, Marjolijn L., Schouten, Alexander P., Walther, Joseph. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Routledge 01.11.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Dating services; Video teleconferencing
• ISSN: 1521-3269; 1532-785X
• DOI: 10.1080/15213269.2019.1648217

This study investigated the impact of (the lack of) audiovisual cues during conversations preceding a first face-to-face meeting among prospective daters on daters' perceptions of partners' social and romantic attraction. Additionally, the study examined the effect of modality switching, from online to offline interaction. Thirty-nine individuals participated in a round-robin speed dating event, resulting in 95 unique conversation pairings. For their first conversations they were randomly assigned to meet via text-based CMC or videoconferencing. The dyads then had a second encounter, which was face-to-face. Results showed more social attraction between interactants who used text-based CMC than videoconferencing, supporting the hyperpersonal model of CMC. Furthermore, after a modality switch to a face-to-face encounter the hyperpersonal effect persisted for social attraction, while romantic attraction declined.