Introduction
From the beginning of time, human beings have always created communication channels and means, which have evolved from the primitive languages to relatively contemporary intricate computers and mobile phones. Relationships of antiquity were mostly based on a face-to-face interaction system where people met and discussed their agenda. In this case, the two parties would engage both verbal and non-verbal cues in the conversation. The other party would draw different interpretations and conclusions from the set of cues (both verbal and non-verbal) that their partner uses during the conversation. Importantly, for instance, two people whose conversation is oriented towards a romantic relationship would gauge their partner’s level of interest through a comprehensive set of cues in the course of the conversation. Time have changed. The new media technologies seem to be on a relentless quest to entirely change the course of social dating and relationships. Tentatively, the new media has wiped out the actual face-to-face interaction. The invention and introduction of computers and cellphones have paved way for virtual communication. As the new media technologies continue to integrate into the social setting, it comes with major influences and impacts on the interaction between individuals in the society. One societal aspect that has been greatly affected by the new media is social dating and relationships.
In a world that is increasingly growing digital, ancient letters have ceased to be central to communication between partners, and new media systems have become focal parts of daily relationships. Prospective couples share moments and communicate their motives through texts, pictures, and even videos. Such a mechanism of operation informs the definition of new media which will be adopted in this proposal: a collection of digital technology platforms that facilitate the exchange of information and sharing of digital artifacts like videos and photos. New media is diverse, ranging from the physical media channels like mobile phones to virtual channels like the social media. While the nature of these systems and their characteristics vary greatly, they affect social dating and relationships in more or less similar ways. Specifically, they discourage face-to-face communication and advance a new mode of communication involving sharing of media artifacts like videos, texts, and audio files. It is, however, important to note that social dating and relationships are not entirely mechanical actions. Therefore, discussing and analyzing the impact of new media on the two should not be drawn from a reference point that social dating and relationships are mechanical actions. It remains a reality that they can perfectly thrive in a virtual platform such as those that comprise the new media. In particular, how a couple uses the new media in their relationship can break or make the relationship. In particular, the new media has affected the entire microcosm of social dating, most importantly, such aspects as communication, development, satisfaction and maintenance of the relationships. It is on such a backdrop that this study will be set.
Research Question and Objectives
The following research will be conducted around the chief research question: What is the effect of new media technologies on social dating and relationships? Even so, in a build up to the primary research question response, the study will seek to fulfill the following objectives:
i. To determine the relationship between technology and social dating and relationships
ii. To examine the influence of new media technologies on social interaction
iii. To analyze the effect of new media on social dating (development of relationships)
iv. To determine the influence of new media on satisfaction, maintenance, and dissolution of relationships
v. To examine how new media technology is changing social dating and relationships vis-à-vis the ancient relationships
Research Rationale and purpose of the study
Technology and social dating and relationships are undoubtedly two critical societal constructs. They shape the society and determine the lives of people as well as their most vital ingredient of existence- interpersonal relationships. There is a widespread unsubstantiated information that advances the notion that new media is largely dissolving romantic relationships and changing social dating negatively. Such conclusions do not take into consideration different modes of user of the new media for the purposes of forming and sustaining relationships. That is, just like with drugs, abuse and misuse of the new media technologies is detrimental to relationships and vice versa. There is a need to set the record straight through a focused and extensive research. Contemporary technology and social dating and relationships are both prominent topics and subjects that dominate debates in the current world. In particular, researchers have embarked on studying the impacts of new media technologies on interpersonal relationships. The interest in these two aspects, however, comes from the alarming lack of information and confusion that characterize the existing body of information concerning the inter-link between the two subjects. The dearth of information notwithstanding, the existing body of research does not seem to agree on whether new media negatively or positively impact social dating and relationships. In fact, most of them are one-sided- they focus only on the negative effects. The following research will be pertinent in providing a focused and insightful study that, apart from clearing the misinformation, will serve to provide a strong point of reference for the future studies. As a result, the purpose of this study will be to fill the existing gap, make for the inadequacies and immensely contribute to the current pool of knowledge on this scope of research.
Literature Review
Generally, the body of literature in this scope of research is highly insufficient and unfocused. Moreover, they are limited and based on hearsay without any substantial scientific backing. Thus, specific studies will only contribute to a part of this study and the current literature review section. The information drawn from the particular pieces of literature will, therefore, be juxtaposed independently with overall objective of this study with a view to shaping this study in its entirety.
Hicks (2016) while examining computer dating systems, defines social dating as a stage in romantic relationships where two or more parties socially meet either as friends with a view to examining the suitability of each other as a life partner or for intimate relationship. It is a pivotal stage since it lays the foundation for the impending intimate relationship which may possibly lead to a lifetime partnership in form of marriage. The author, however, pegs the definition of new media on computers. Kaplan and Haenlein (2010), in disagreement, defines new media technology as a collection of digital technology platforms that facilitate the exchange of information and sharing of digital artifacts like videos and photos. According to this definition, new media technology includes telephones, computers, and their products like the internet which will be treated as an independent media technology. The fact that all these forms of new media technology wipes away face-to-face interaction drove Walther (1992) to conclude that they have a similar course of influence with regards to relationships and interpersonal relationship. It is largely noted that the inter-link between the new media technologies and social dating and relationships mainly lie in communication. It is from communication that the dating thrives and any form of relationship springs and rests. Friendship and romantic relationships are common and are found among people of all walks of life (social contexts, ages and cultures). Social dating and relationships stem from voluntary and reciprocal connections where the parties involved personally show care for each other through personal responses (Wright 1984). Social dating and relationship provide the involved parties with companionship, attachment and emotional support. The relationship strength, according to Wright (1984) depends on the closeness among or between the parties in the relationship arrangement.
New media technology systems comprise a diverse range of affordances that influence social dating and relationships (Ellison, Lampe, Steinfield & Vitak 2010). For instance, social media systems are tailor-made to support the management of relationships through allowing the individuals to create personal profiles, find partners, interact, and maintain their relationship in several ways. It is noteworthy that each of these activities facilitate and support social dating and sustenance of relationships. In the same vein, the authors note that new media technology systems facilitate reciprocity which is one of the chief features of social dating and relationships. At the very center, romantic relationships are bidirectional, thus, both the parties have to fully and voluntarily participate. The frequent communication that characterizes such participation necessitates effective means of communication which happens to be one of the major strengths of new media communication technologies (Ellison, Lampe, Steinfeild & Vitak 2010). Computers and mobile phones seamlessly enable frequent communication and practically reduces the distance of long-distance relationships. Certainly, a plus, facilitation of long-distance relationships has led to a conclusion that new media technologies strengthen relationships. On the same note, the accessibility ensures that people can date from one end of the universe to the other and meet at their convenience.
Lenhart, Dugan and Smith (2014) carried out research to examine how couples in America use the digital technology systems to manage logistics, life, and emotional intimacy concerning their respective relationships. The study acknowledged, through its findings that the social media, the internet and cellphones are a key player in the life of many and American couple. 66% of American couples either married of in committed relationships extensively use any of the forms of new media technologies. The study noted that the couple negotiate when and how to engage which form of technology. While a portion of the respondents agreed to quarrel over its use and decry its supposed hurtful experiences, another portion agreed that new media technologies not only support their relationships but ease communications. A majority of the sample that subscribed to the latter opinion were long-distant or busy couple. In terms of rating, Lenhart, Dugan and Smith (2014) records that 10% of the new media technology married users contend that the internet, in particular, has had a ‘major’ influence on their relationships while 17% are of the contrary opinion- ‘minor impact.’ Surprisingly, 72% of the couples in this research did not acknowledge any impact of the internet in their relationships. Up to 74% of the users who determined that the internet largely affected their relationships notes that it was a positive influence, 20% decried negative influence while 4% observed that the impact was both bad and good.
Another research that concerns new media technology (social media) and social dating was conducted in 2015. In the research, Lenhart, Smith and Anderson (2015) conclude that the digital realm is critical meeting point for teens which also allows them form romantic bonds, date, and eventually break the bonds as they please. On the overall, 35% of American teens between the ages of 13 and 17 have had a chance to hookup and date a partner online with 18% currently involved in similar romantic relationships. Closely linked, 57% of friendships that can turn romantic were begun online. Nonetheless, a greater number of the respondents said they have dated, and only prefer partners they meet offline. It is important to note that while these respondents agreed to meeting their partners online, there is a high possibility that the rest of the dating was undertaken through a form of new media technology including the online messaging application. On this note, and in this discussion, the meeting point only serve as minor part of the discussion; the mode of dating and the platform majorly contributes to the discussion.
Yet Kirk (2013), McGrath (2012), Farrugia (2013) and Cooper, Delmonico, and Burg (2000) examine the body of literature surrounding new media technology surrounding the scope and subject of this study. The primary focus is on satisfaction in, and maintenance of the relationships. Kirk (2013) noted that satisfaction is major part of relationships and distance is a major determinant of the level of satisfaction. Long distance relationships are replete with stress largely due to differing levels of satisfaction (Maguire & Kinney 2010). While face-to-face communications are generally considered more satisfying, Spott, Pyle and Punyanunt-Carter (2010) notes that telephones and the social media provide an equally effective alternative for communication among distantly related couples, for instance, those who are in different parts of the world due to work or study. Satisfaction often determines the level of maintenance of the relationship (Farrugia 2013; McGrath 2012). Satisfaction inculcates assurance, openness, and positivity which are pivotal to the life of a relationship. McGrath (2012) and Cooper, Delmonico and Burg (2000) found out that despite the wide range of positive effects, new media technologies also negatively impact on social dating and relationships. The negative impacts are constituents of the argument that consider new media technologies to stand in the way of face-to-face interaction. Essentially, then fact that two or more people can talk from anywhere across the world at any moment erodes their intention and quest to physically meet each other. The major aspects of relationship like the warmth and physical connection that couple enjoy cannot be drawn from virtual telephone or social media interactions. While the negative impact seems insignificant, it gradually takes a negative toll on the relationship and can lead to its eventual dissolution. On the overall, there is a need to harmonize the existing body of knowledge and contribute to the pool of literature with one focused study given the dearth and lack of focus that is evident in this field of study.
Research Design: Methodology and Method
Methodology
In light of the subject and general scope of this study, it will adopt an interpretivist philosophy since it asserts intricacy of the social realm and management of the various relationships that exist. Indeed, the following study aims to examine and profoundly explore the new forms of media technology and how they influence social dating and relationships. In tandem with Interpretivism, the study will apply an inductive approach. The suitability of inductive reasoning in this case is pegged on the need to understand the intricate interconnection between new media technology and social dating and relationship as aspects of the general concept of interpersonal relationships. Therefore, the research strategy will be single exploratory research oriented on a cross-sectional horizon given that it is highly likely to last over six months examining a wide range of populations and relationships.
Method
In this study, a qualitative approach will be used as the primary research technique. However, given that it will also incorporate statistical data, elements of quantitative analysis like charts and graphs will be employed especially in data analysis. In precision, the study will use structured interview questionnaires consisting of both closed and open-ended sections. The first section will consist of pre-structured questions aimed at collecting the views of the respondents concerning the various aspects that are of interest to this study. In the second section, the participants will be free to record their opinions, explain their standpoints in the first section, and add anything they deem pertinent to the ongoing research. Saunders, Lewis and Thornbill (2003) lauds questionnaires as they are easy to administer and analyze especially in cases that involve a wide variety of data expected in this case. However, it is worth noting that the use of questionnaires is limited to people who are literate and can write. As such, older respondents will be assisted to fill in the questionnaires by the one of the researchers. Alongside primary data, secondary data will be gathered through a systematic review of the existing pieces of literature. While the literature has been found limited and less helpful to this study, they will be used primarily to shape the study, compare the findings, and improve reliability and validity of this study. The fundamental sampling method in this study will be random sampling with a view to minimizing bias. As Silverman (2011) advices, confrontation of specific perceptions, and attachment of value without scientifically grounded support will be avoided for the same reasons of reduction of bias and inducing focus in the study. The sample, as had already been mentioned, will consists of both young and old participants, in order to get a holistic view of the situation and cover more than one generation.
Reliability and Validity
While data collection forms the core of any research, validity and reliability of such data often come under scrutiny. Reliability defines the trustworthiness of the data and the entire research while validity describes the authenticity or genuineness of the data and the conclusion of the study (Yin 2003). The first step in ameliorating both aspects will be to submit the structured questionnaires to experts so that they can review, standardize and approve of all the questions to ensure that they are similar for every correspondent. This is aimed at minimizing confusion, irrelevance, and redundancy of the data that often affect both reliability and validity of research. Similarly, the actual research will be carried out at the most appropriate time to enable a conducive environment for participation in the activities. Increasing reliability will also require judiciously structured questions and elimination of vague interpretations of the data. All the data, conclusion and recommendations will be made against popular and effective research instruments like graphical representations. Extrapolations and falsifiability, or any associated elements, will be completely avoided during the course of the research and data analysis to promote validity of the study.
Ethical Issues and Research contribution
According to Creswell (2008), research ethics refers to the consideration of the most fundamental ethical prescriptions throughout the entire course of a study from planning to presentation of the findings of a study. The author notes that the anonymity of the respondents is the major ethical consideration in any research. Correspondingly, this research has a confidentiality clause that will be presented to the respondents before they can participate in the research. The contents of the clause will be explained to them extensively and they will be asked to append their signatures as a means of consenting to take part in the research after understanding the terms and conditions. Similarly, all the participants will be thoroughly and rigorously oriented before the study so as to familiarize them with the various aspects of this study. This will shape the opinions of the participants and eliminate and wide and irrelevant inputs. Finally, before the actual research, necessary and appropriate permission will be obtained from various quarters and individuals to make them comfortable with the research and avoid associated research hiccups. The study will be of great contribution to both participants and the entire society. In particular, it will shape the use of new media technologies for purposes of social dating and relationships. People can draw from the findings of this study to determine their level of use of new media technologies in their various relationships and while at it, learn how to minimize the disadvantages and maximize the positive impacts. This research will also greatly contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the wider subject of contemporary technology and social dating and relationships.