Deception in Online Dating
Sara Blair, Marshall Cooper, Shannon Fahnestock
Overview of Online Dating and Deception
What Is Deception?
Deception is a commonly discussed topic but it is often hard for one to define deception and discuss the different types of deception that occur. According to Caspi and Gorsky (2006), deception is defined as “knowingly transmitting messages to a receiver with the intent to foster a false belief or conclusion” (p. 54). Identity deception occurs when the messages sent provide information that is misleading about the sender’s identity (Caspi & Gorsky, 2006). Deception can take place in a variety of settings and is common in both everyday social interactions as well as during online social interactions. Deception that takes place online, or is carried out within information and communication technology, is known as digital deception. When discussing any type of deception a key element to this phenomenon is that the deception is a deliberate or intentional act. If someone provides incorrect information mistakenly, they are not said to be deceptive, they are simply said to be mistaken. Another key element of deception is if it is authorized or expected by the target. In some online arenas misleading information is expected, such as in an online poker game. One does not expect his or her opponents to tell what cards are in hand, so misleading information in this domain is not viewed as deceptive, but instead simply as part of the game (Hancock, 2009). This website focuses specifically on unanticipated digital deception within online dating, so it is important one knows a little bit more about online dating in general.
What is Online Dating?
Online dating has become known as a service in which users can create online profiles in which they describe themselves in hopes of contacting or being contacted by potential romantic partners. Throughout the years online dating has become increasingly popular and in 2008 an estimated 16 million Americans reported using online dating services. Of these 16 million users 3 million had reported entering long term relationships, including marriage, with their partners who they had met online (Toma et al., 2008). With online dating becoming so popular, many sites discuss the do's and don'ts of the online dating world. Often these discussions lead to guidelines for online daters to follow, such as the 10 Commandments of Online Dating accessible HERE.
Today, there are many popular dating sites including eHarmony which calls itself the number one trusted dating site. This site, which can be accessed at http://www.eharmony.com/, reports having over 20 million registered users and for a monthly fee will match its users by using the eHarmony Compatibility Matching System® which it claims “matches single women and men based on 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility for lasting and fulfilling relationships”. Other online dating sites such as http://personals.yahoo.com does not match its members based on compatibility, but instead allows members to create a profile about themselves and then search others profiles in order to try to find a potential romantic partner that appeals to them.
Deception and Online Dating
While online dating sites are popular many still report that they are rampant with deception. This concern appears to stem from the separation of the self that one presents online and the self that he or she experiences in real life. Some research has found that the absence of physical contact between daters allows some aspects including physical characteristics and social status, as well as others to be easily misrepresented (Toma et al., 2008). Throughout this website, different aspects of online dating deception, such as the frequency and magnitude of deception, commonly misrepresented information and gender differences in deception will be discussed. Some reasons why this deception in online dating may occur will also be presented. Also some possible ways to reduce or prevent online dating deception will be offered.