Webonline dating sites frequently claim that they have fundamentally altered the dating landscape for the better. This article employs psychological science to examine (a) whether online dating is fundamentally different from conventional offline dating and (b) whether online dating promotes better romantic outcomes than conventional offline. This study examines how gender interplays with emerging adults’ intentions and outcomes when using online dating. Symbolic interaction and evolutionary theories are used to understand how evolutionary symbols are associated with online dating, impacting intentions and outcomes. Webthis article reviews evidence for the social compensation hypothesis of online dating, according to which individuals who experience challenges with traditional dating gravitate towards and benefit from online dating. Webthis chapter, which investigates a range of evidence about online dating behaviour, and a synthesis of approaches to research in this area, also evaluates the nature of the market and the experiences of those who have engaged in online dating. Webin online dating, three streams of research have considered social compensation processes, each pertaining to a different type of psychosocial vulnerability: 1) internalizing symptoms (anxiety, depression); Webthis article employs psychological science to examine (a) whether online dating is fundamentally different from conventional offline dating and (b) whether online dating promotes better romantic outcomes than conventional offline dating. Webthe authors investigate the dynamics of online dating by looking at three benchmarks of the dating experience. They first investigate the profile stage and evaluate how people use photos and text to form an online identity and enhance their appearance. Webarguably, the increasing trend of online dating is changing the scope of romantic relationship development. This book provides an overview of the practice of online dating, specifically looking at the impact of online dating websites and apps.
