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.
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