The Relationship between \u27OCEAN\u27 Personality Dimensions, Demographics, and Online Dating Attitudes and Behaviors

Previous research has found the Internet and computer-mediated communication to be a rapidly developing virtual world that is impacting the way in which individuals interact with others. Specifically, online dating sites have become a tremendously popular and widespread method for meeting individuals and forming romantic relationships. While this new mode of dating is quickly developing and research has begun to examine various aspects of personality characteristics as they relate to online dating, there are still numerous questions regarding the relationship among personality traits, demographics, and online dating that remain unanswered. A review of the related literature reveals a need to further delve into this area and obtain an understanding of those personality traits and demographics that significantly relate to various components of online dating. Consequently, this study aims to contribute to this rapidly expanding area of research by examining the degree to which individuals\u27 OCEAN personality dimensions and demographics relate to attitudes towards and behaviors on online dating sites. This study examined the use of online dating sites among 230 participants. The study explored the degree to which the participants\u27 OCEAN personality traits and demographic variables relate to their personal attitudes towards the use of online dating. In addition, the participants\u27 OCEAN personality traits and demographic variables were related to various behaviors on online dating sites. Lastly, interaction effects of the participants\u27 demographics such as age, level of education, and relationship status were also analyzed when examining the relationship between personality traits and online dating attitudes and behaviors. In doing so, this study considers the degree to which personality traits and demographics play a role in individuals\u27 use of online dating sites. Results reveal numerous significant relationships between individuals\u27 personality traits and demographic variables as they relate to individuals\u27 attitudes towards online dating. Additionally, various findings were discovered when examining individuals\u27 personality traits and demographics variables (e.g., gender, religious affiliation, online dating history) in relation to individuals\u27 decontextualized and contextualized online dating behaviors related to self-disclosure, activeness (initiative taking), and degree of importance of others\u27 profiles. Overall, these findings add to the growing field of cyberpsychology and online dating. The results hopefully help inform psychological practice in terms of understanding individuals\u27 interpersonal relationships that occur over the Internet as well as help guide future areas of related research