Psychological Analysis: Traditional Dating versus Online Dating

This essay provides a comprehensive comparison of traditional and online dating methods, exploring their respective advantages and disadvantages. It delves into the historical context of dating, highlighting the shift from face-to-face interactions to technologically mediated approaches. The essay examines the psychological aspects of each method, including how they impact relationship formation, communication, and the potential for deception. It discusses the pros and cons of traditional dating, such as the ability to assess chemistry in person and the role of social circles, and contrasts these with the benefits of online dating, including access to a wider pool of potential partners and the use of matchmaking tools. The essay also addresses the negative aspects of both methods, such as the potential for dishonesty in online profiles and the limitations of social circles in traditional dating. Ultimately, the essay suggests that a blended approach, combining the strengths of both methods, may be the most effective way to find a compatible partner and build a lasting relationship. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the psychological dynamics involved in both traditional and online dating to make informed choices about relationships.

Running head: TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
Name of the student:
Name of University:
Author Note:

1TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
This essay discusses various aspects of dating a person, finding the similarities
between two persons and finally ends up in a happy life. over the years and decades, the
tradition and concept of dating has been changed. Before the technological advancements,
two people used to meet and identified their similarities and if they shared same perspectives,
stated to date each other (Ramirez et al. 2014). Gradually, with the technological
advancements, this new generation of people prefer new and advanced technology and
updated tools of dating there are numerous differences in the online and traditional methods
of dating.
Many of the people realise that there are no such differences in the traditional and
online dating. This is because most of the people think that the main idea of dating someone
is to find special perform in life and both the approaches are about detailed communication
with that person in order to know him or her better. However, some people prefer traditional
dating and some prefer online. To people the concept of online dating is very new and
exciting when both people start to communicate. On the other hand, the traditional method of
dating usually involves two people who have some similarity in their psychological demands.
The traditional dating procedure makes the potential matches made up of two locals,
colleagues or friends of the friends. Here, one needs time to identify the similarities in the
lifestyles, personality traits and emotional values (Smith and Anderson 2016). On the
contrary the online dating process provides scope for interacting with thousands of
prospective people then selects one according to the emotional matching. Here one can get
various types of filters where the people can search according to the preferences for example
hobbies, personalities, religion and most importantly perspective or point of view about any
incident.

2TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
A lot of people wonder; which method will be more fruitful for them to choose
between. Time is big payer in differentiating the similarities and differences between two
major style of dating (Sumter, Vandenbosch and Ligtenberg 2017). Most of the people now a
day have been choosing the online method because they do not have time to approach any
stranger and ask for a date. Moreover, the single people now a day do not have time to attain
social events as well as meet new people for date. For these people social networking sites
are easy and comfortable platform to meet new people without any stress and interact them.
For online dating, one can have a huge opportunity to gain access to approach qualified and
prospective single when search according to the category of choice.
However, in both traditional and online dating methods, there are some positives as
well as some negatives therefore the individual must select the method most convincing,
dependable and affordable methods of dating someone (Heijman et al. 2016). However, both
of these methods have some positive and some negative effects that influence the person but
vary sometimes. Before the concept of online dating was first introduced, people used to
connect via personal ads and mutual friends. Even today also the people supporting
traditional outlook do not believe in the credibility of the online dating system. The positive
sides of offline dating method are-
First, people can determine the chemistry face to face. In offline dating process people
meet others for the first time therefore, cannot judge their appearance or personality before
meeting. As these people do not share much information before they meet hence get
opportunity to discuss more about themselves in a date. This makes their conversation more
exciting and deep as people ask about each other and get answers right there. People do not
wait for getting answers for weeks and months hence need less time to know basic
characteristics of each other.

3TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
Secondly, as the data reveals, most of the people in the online dating methods do not
follow ethics and moralities abut lie about themselves very easily. For example, the women
deceive their ages and men tend to add in their incomes (Dowlat and Donaldson 2017). On
the other hand, in the traditional dating process, people have conversation face to face, their
conscience wins out. Moreover, the people get scope for follow-up questions to reveal their
true identity.
Thirdly, most of the dating in the traditional methods are arranged by either friends,
co-workers, or relatives which makes it easier for the people with increasing the compatibility
of the people. Therefore, this dating becomes more exiting as these are based on the similar
preferences of both parts.
Finally, as mentioned before, people get engaged in their dating through known
people of friends, families or the co-workers. Hence, they get scope for asking their common
friends about each other, which can never happen in the online match making system.
There are negative aspects of the traditional dating methods where firstly, the
traditional dating needs some movements from one end therefore one has to be sociable and
eloquent. In such settings, many of the people fail to build engagement with completely a
stranger (Heijman et al. 2016).
Secondly, arranging a date traditionally depends on one person therefore, he has to
take entire responsibilities. Moreover, people tend to remain in their own comfortable area
hence traditional dating makes it harder to expand your physical boundaries.
Thirdly, while deciding to meet each other through traditional dating process, the
people can surely run out of time. In this busy society, one lacks time to build a strong
emotional as well as intellectual bond because this need time and effort.

4TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
Fourthly, people choosing the traditional are limited in the local and social circles. On
the other hand, the users availing online dating services, people can find their partners from
every corners of the world (Heijman et al. 2016). Therefore, when all the sources of
prospective partners are exhausted the people go for choice of the family and friends.
Finally, people preferring the traditional method of dating face difficulties in case of
their first date. This is because, people remain experienced about the key features of dating
hence they fail to impress each other and end up in zero. In case both of the people have no
idea of each other out going in a first date, disaster happens.
As mentioned before, both of the methods have some positive and negative aspects
which either make them similar to each other or differentiate (Holt 2017). The positive
effects of the online dating are as follows-
Firstly, the online dating process allows the users to make choice from the numerous
single people and it assures that they all have same objectives that are to start a relationship
with the most preferred person (Fullwood and Attrill-Smith 2018). They do not need to
confirm or convince anybody for dating.
Secondly, the online dating networks allow their users to choose among a sea of
people each categorised with religion, personality and inclinations. These online dating sites
cater for every type of people. This is much easier for the young generation that saves time as
well as works efficiently.
Thirdly, this method is affordable for most of the people as they do not need to
arrange anything for creating physical ambience. One can connect another without physical
presence and much effort to reach them (Manning 2014).

5TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
Fourthly, online dating survives helps to engage in platonic communicating. The users
have enough time to know each other and express themselves which are sometimes difficult
sitting face to face.
Fifthly, although it seems to be unbelievable, the number of marriage after online
dating is much higher than offline dating. Couples whose relationships began online are quite
immune to separations, because their romance started long-distance relationship (Fullwood
and Attrill-Smith 2018). These couples got to know each other psychologically.
Sixthly, many of the online dating or matchmaking sites use popular matchmaking
tools which are quite scientific and analytical. These tools are used to make perfect match
according to the psychological and intellectual needs of the users (Mazur 2017). These tools
are preferred by the considerable number of users who feel that these tools are more efficient
in matchmaking that human beings. However, for getting appropriate results, the users need
to input proper information about their requirements and themselves.
Moreover, in online dating sites the people communicate over internet and continue
their conversation at any place of choice (Peng and Cao 2017). Hence, one need not to go out
with a complete stranger which make this process quite safer than another process.
Communication is no doubt an important factor that assists to mingle with people and
build a relationship based on love and emotional connection. Online dating process helps in
starting the initial communication which ultimately leads them to engagement with each
other.
Finally, one of the most important aspects of online dating facility is that one can
easily subscribe or delete their accounts from the dating sites. The people having account in
the online dating services will have opportunity to close if they do not want to continue with
the categories or do not feel these services to be fruitful for their objectives.

6TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
There are numerous negative aspects of online or virtual dating process. First of all,
there are numerous people in the world with worse intentions. These people intentionally play
with this concept of dating and intentionally cheat people (Ramirez et al. 2014). For
accessing these online sites one need no proof of name hence it is easy to be anonymous. This
is why many of the people report of cheating.
Secondly, online dating process is more engaging for the online users because they
stay online and chat for a considerable amount of time. Therefore, this method becomes
boring after some weeks or months as one comes to know all about a person. They tend to
leave that person and try another one. Therefore, the researchers have found that online
dating has become more like a game that after a while it becomes discouraging (Felmlee and
Kreager 2017).
Thirdly, as mentioned before, the online dating facilities provide various categories
from where people select their dates according to their choice. This concept however matches
with the ecommerce business where people select clothes or shoes from according to their
preferences. People subscribed in these sites become too judgemental about the physicality or
appearances. They scroll and swipe treating people like objects.
Fourthly, the scientific match making tools are used in matchmaking procedure hence
the users cannot include every detail in their accounts (Borrajoet al. 2015). These users are
judged in limited categories hence this judgement can never be accurate and dependable.
Finally, people while dating online, tend to exaggerate about them and pretend
superior which they are not. Sitting before a PC or mobile, it becomes easy for the people to
lie immorally.
There are numerous differences between the online and offline dating methods. The
most import of this is the psychological involvement. Some of the people prefer traditional

7TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
style of dating as they feel when they meet a stranger they find something new in them and
there is an amazing experience to explore each other (Van Ouytsel, Ponnet and Walrave
2016). This is how they learn to depend thus, gradually building a psychological bond. On the
contrary, online dating is purely focus on giving some kind of experience of dating. Many of
the people cannot become engaged with their partners as they cannot build emotional
attachment without physical appearance.
This is the reason why many of the sociologists recommend for applying both these
type of dating process. This is because traditional method of dating was there in the society
for a long time but this technology driven online dating process is quite new. This may not be
altered in this situation. Hence, people will be benefitted if they select his or her partner based
on their preferences from online dating sites, then go on a date traditionally. Thus, they will
have minimum knowledge about their inclinations or similarities and then share a strong
emotional or intellectual bond.

8TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE DATING
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