An important aspect of the way in which the Internet influences our everyday life is the way in which it reconfigures not only how we communicate, but also with whom we communicate; how we meet people but also who we meet.
This theme of ‘reconfiguring access’ is an important element of several of our research projects. The Oxford Internet Surveys (OxIS) have recently paid special attention to social networks and relationships formed through the Internet. Other examples of projects in this area include the eSocial Science (OeSS) project, the Companions project and research on mobile phones.
The project contributes to our research into the impact of the Internet on social networks by looking at the significance and impact of the Internet on intimate relationships.
What role does the Internet play in introducing married couples? What are the geographic, socioeconomic and psychological characteristics of people who first met their partner online compared with those who met in more traditional ways?
Which online behaviours are considered unacceptable in a partner? What are the expectations within a marriage about online self-disclosure to others?
What role does the Internet play in the quality of married life? How important is online communication in resolving marital conflict?
This study will collect data through online surveys of married couples who used the Internet in 19 countries. A total of 9300 couples will be expected to answer the survey. Participants will be recruited from an international company specializing in online panels. Upon completion, participants will be asked to allow their spouses to complete the second half of the questionnaire. Questions asked of both participants will be identical.
This research project is supported by a grant and collaboration from eHarmony, a US-based online match-making company supporting research on the science of relationships. We would like to continue and extend this project over time, and to include civil-contract and long-term cohabiting couples. Parties interested in supporting work in this area, or who have enquiries about this project, should contact Dr Bernie Hogan.
Senior Fellow, Advisory Board Member
Bill Dutton was the OII’s Founding Director, a Fellow of Balliol College and the first Professor of Internet Studies at Oxford University.
Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow
Bernie Hogan examines how to capture, represent and think about social networks, especially personal social networks. His work focuses on the role of design in social media, network capture techniques and theories of relationships.
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford
Former Departmental Lecturer
Grant Blank's work focuses on the social and cultural implications of the Internet and new media, quantitative and qualitative methods, and cultural sociology. He taught on the OII social statistics courses.
Nottingham Trent University
With Professor Joseph B. Walther and Dr Nicole Ellison
Prof Walther describes the hyperpersonal model and its relevance to the study of online dating. Idealisation of perception and presentation online can facilitate the selection process, but may have unforeseen consequences when people eventually meet.
With Professor Bernie Hogan and Erina Lee
Erina Lee discusses the importance of similarity between partners in terms of long-term relationship satisfaction. She discusses some compatibility dimensions that have been considered by eHarmony, as well as future directions for research.
With Dr Nicole Ellison and Dr Jeff Hancock
Jeff Hancock talks with co-author Nicole Ellison about their work on the issue of 'deception' on online dating sites (in terms of 'optisation of self presentation'), and introduces the idea of 'profiles as promise'.
