Social Bases of Psychology Internet Dating: Social Evolution or Revolution

U.S. and Canada there are over 78.6 million internet users over the age of 16 (Merkle & Richarson, 2000). Forrester Research reports that one in ten people who use the Internet are in a search of relationships, and that nine percent of users in the U.S. use on-line personals (“Americans Look”, n. d.). Additionally, Hardey (2002) reports that “The use of information technology to find and meet a new partner can be traced back to the mid 1960s when an attempt was made to match individuals by comparing data derived from questionnaires using a computer in the United States ” (p. 571). Reports found over 200 sites which offer participants the chance to meet someone (Knox, Daniels, Studivant & Zusman, 2001), and the reasons for meeting can be varied and very specific. Given these facts, it is little surprise that internet dating has become big business, providing those who are willing to pay a membership fee and make the effort to interact in a new way to expand horizons, meet new people, and perhaps settle down. Gilding (2002) points to “a growing consensus that it is the technological revolution that is driving the transformation of society and culture… ” (p. 4). Internet dating is no exception. It is changing the way that people meet and establish relationships