Exploring Perceptions of Online Infidelity
Document Type
Panel Presentation
Keywords
infidelity, online, cybersex
Biography
My name is Austin Fry, and I am from Wayne, WV. I have attended Marshall University since 2017, and I hope to graduate in the Spring of 2021 with both a Communication and English degree in hand. After graduating, I plan to attend seminary school and obtain my Masters in Divinity, and may pursue my PhD one day. Studying communication is a vital tool for me, aiding me significantly as I seek to provide exemplary pastoral counsel and preaching one day.
Major
Communication (Public Emphasis)
Advisor for this project
Cam Brammer
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify how demographic, relationship type, and orientation to conflict are associated with perceptions of internet infidelity, preferences for online sexual activity, and preference for anonymity for online sexual communication. Although extensive research has been performed on the positive correlation between self-disclosure and anonymity in online sexual communication, little has been done on other factors. That said, Carvalheira and Gomes (2003) pinpointed two other significant reasons apart from anonymity as to why someone may engage with sex chats: preference for cybersex over real-life sex and prospective offline dating. Additional work has examined how demographic, relationship type, and orientation to conflict can influence perceptions of internet infidelity. This research seeks to combine these variables to examine potential associations. An online survey will be conducted via Qualtrics. Any person over the age of 18 is eligible to participate. Participants will be recruited from undergraduate and graduate classes in the Communication Studies Department. Additionally, survey links will be posted on social media. Finally, faculty in the Communication Studies Department will be asked to forward the survey to colleagues in their networks for further dissemination. There are no potential risks or benefits to participating in this study and participants must be over the age of 18 to participate.
Exploring Perceptions of Online Infidelity
The purpose of this study is to identify how demographic, relationship type, and orientation to conflict are associated with perceptions of internet infidelity, preferences for online sexual activity, and preference for anonymity for online sexual communication. Although extensive research has been performed on the positive correlation between self-disclosure and anonymity in online sexual communication, little has been done on other factors. That said, Carvalheira and Gomes (2003) pinpointed two other significant reasons apart from anonymity as to why someone may engage with sex chats: preference for cybersex over real-life sex and prospective offline dating. Additional work has examined how demographic, relationship type, and orientation to conflict can influence perceptions of internet infidelity. This research seeks to combine these variables to examine potential associations. An online survey will be conducted via Qualtrics. Any person over the age of 18 is eligible to participate. Participants will be recruited from undergraduate and graduate classes in the Communication Studies Department. Additionally, survey links will be posted on social media. Finally, faculty in the Communication Studies Department will be asked to forward the survey to colleagues in their networks for further dissemination. There are no potential risks or benefits to participating in this study and participants must be over the age of 18 to participate.
