Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Electronic mail messages; Instant messaging; Man-woman relationships; Online dating; Telematics; Academic theses;
Abstract
Initiating and developing Internet interpersonal relationships is becoming increasingly popular as technology becomes more relevant and available. In fact, according the Pew Internet and American Life Project (PIALP) (1995) and IntelliQuest (1999), which monitors the penetration, use and appreciation of media in society, the number of Americans online increased from twenty-five million in 1995 to eighty-three million in 1999, an increase of nearly 60 million American onliners in 4 years. More recently, about 106 million American adults have used the Internet; in addition 73 percent of all American young adults between the ages of 12 and 17 have also used the Internet (Howard, Rainie, & Jones, 2001). The Internet, which did not emerge until 1982, supports a relatively different means of instigating a potentially interpersonal, romantic relationship than a traditional FtF experience. Research needs to thoroughly address the stages online relationships progress through, as most interpersonal relational stage models were developed before the Internet or Internet communication existed (Baxter & Erbert, 1999; Knapp & Vangelisti, 1995; Solomon & Knobloch, 2001), creating a need for further communicative investigation. This qualitative study investigated the following inquiries in its research design. First, 'How is the phenomenon of interpersonal online relationships development validated, chosen, or explained by those in them?' And, 'How are relational stages experienced in online relationships that eventually evolve into FtF interpersonal relationships?' In answering these questions, the researcher synthesized primary and secondary data to construct a phenomenological model of CMC relationship experiences as described by participants. This model is reflective of the motivations behind the behaviors of participants in each stage movement. In specific, elements of current relationship models were investigated prior to research by explicating their utility in CMC interpersonal relationships. Also, from the 14 participant responses collected from 6 males and 8 females, descriptions of lived experiences in the phenomenon provided for evidence of relational stage progressions. Primary data was collected through open-ended research questions via e-mail correspondence between the researcher and participants and was thematically synthesized. Thematic results included participants actively searching for an online relationship, netiquette, the disadvantages of online relationships, as well as others.
Year of Submission
2004
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of Communication Studies
First Advisor
Joyce Chen
Second Advisor
Paul Turman
Third Advisor
Ronnie Bankston
Date Original
2004
Object Description
1 PDF file (122 leaves)
Copyright
©2004 Traci McCollom Dillavou
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Dillavou, Traci McCollom, "CMC Interpersonal Relationships: A Phenomenological Study of Online Relational Stages" (2004). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2476.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2476
Comments
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