Online Infidelity Theoretical Background Contributing to Cyber-Related Intimacy Issues

• Author: Diana Filimon
• Position: PhD Student, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Psychology Department, Romania
• Pages: 496-505

European Integration - Realities and Perspectives. Proceedings 2019

496

Online Infidelity Theoretical Background

Contributing to Cyber-Related Intimacy Issues

Diana Filimon1

Abstract: The introduction of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace has provided a

relatively new platform for interpersonal communication. a vital part of daily living and a popular way of

initiating, establishing, maintaining, and enhancing existing as well as new relationships. However, certain

problems and difficulties have arisen from this issue. The present research has been done to outline the four

“As” r elated to cyber intimacy ( anonymity, affordability, accessibility; approximation) as identified by King

(1999), Cooper (2000; 2002), Ross (2002), and Tikkanen and Ross (2003) by outlining how these “As” are

noted within the published literature. There have also been taken into consideration two more “As” (ambiguity

and accommodation) as introduced by Hertlein and Stevenson (2010).

Keywords: cyber-related intimacy issues; couples; sex; online infidelity

Cooper’s Online Infidelity Theory Contributing to Cyber-Related Intimacy Issues

Today’s systems of communication allow people to interact with each other in settings that are not face-

to-face. The Internet provides many opportunities for people to connect and relate to one another. To

date, 1.7 billion people worldwide use the Internet (Int ernet Usage Stats, 2009). People access the

Internet for a myriad of different reasons ranging from obtaining information to maintaining

relationships. Some avenues include: Twitter (8 million users), Fa cebook (200 million users and 100

million log on daily), and MySpace (76 million users) which encourages people to connect to on e

another. This type of communication has made it easy to create new interpersonal relationships, get in

touch with old friends, and maintain distant relationships.

The Internet can be a very powerful, positive tool for a couple’s relationship. Couples can exchange

instant messages or texts throughout a day, e-cards, and share links and music with a few short clicks of

the computer mouse or taps on a touch screen. Long distance relationships also become easier to

maintain in an age of instant communication because users (1) can find partners independent of

geographic location, and (2) can share videos, photos, and messages instantly, enhancing the

development of intimacy and progression of the relationship (H ertlein, 2008). Further, these

relationships can be sustained rather a ffordably through an Internet service provider package and a

monthly fee (Cooper, 2002). In seeking to understand the pros and cons of technology a nd coup les,

Henline and Harris (2006) discovered that people enjoy using technology to communicate with their

partners or potential partners, a nd enjoy that technology provides a context in which relationships

develop based on common interests rather than looks. Henline and Harris concluded that technology can

1 PhD Student, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Psychology Department,

Romania, Address: Toma Cozma 3, Iaşi-700554, Romania, Corresponding author: diana_filimon_25@yahoo.com.