The hidden messages in computer networks
Harvard Business Review
The role of virtual humans in virtual environment technology and interfaces
Frontiers of human-centred computing, online communities and virtual environments
Web of Deception: Misinformation on the Internet
Web of Deception: Misinformation on the Internet
Computers in Human Behavior
The impact of emotionality and self-disclosure on online dating versus traditional dating
Computers in Human Behavior
FYI: communication style preferences underlie differences in location-sharing adoption and usage
Proceedings of the 2013 ACM international joint conference on Pervasive and ubiquitous computing
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An unprecedented number of relationships begin online, propelling online dating into a billion-dollar industry. However, while the online dating industry has created an effective mechanism for matching and accessing profiles, it has largely neglected the quality of communication between individuals. We investigate whether the lack of nonverbal cues (inherent in the text-based communication tools commonly used by dating sites) hinders communication and relationship formation. In this study, members of a dating website interacted through one of four randomly assigned versions of a text chat, where each version featured an increasing number of nonverbal communication cues. A survey was then administered regarding users' perceptions of each other, the level and quality of information disclosure, and their interest in developing a relationship with the other person. Results suggest that restoring nonverbal cues through the use of avatars can help improve online interaction and relationship formation. Chat versions that featured more nonverbal cues were associated with more favorable perceptions, greater exchange of information, and a stronger desire to pursue a relationship. While both genders found nonverbal communication conducive to developing a relationship, men and women reacted differently to certain types of nonverbal communication.