Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 The seductive space
- 2 The paradoxical nature of online relationships
- 3 Emotions on the Net
- 4 Online imagination
- 5 Online privacy and emotional closeness
- 6 Is it worth it?
- 7 Flirting on- and offline
- 8 Cyberlove
- 9 Chatting is sometimes cheating
- 10 The future of romantic relationships
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
3 - Emotions on the Net
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 The seductive space
- 2 The paradoxical nature of online relationships
- 3 Emotions on the Net
- 4 Online imagination
- 5 Online privacy and emotional closeness
- 6 Is it worth it?
- 7 Flirting on- and offline
- 8 Cyberlove
- 9 Chatting is sometimes cheating
- 10 The future of romantic relationships
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.
Judy GarlandAfter describing in the last chapter the nature of online relationships, this chapter describes the nature of emotions. It examines whether characteristics typical of emotions prevail in online relationships, and hence whether such relationships are likely to involve intense emotions. Although online relationships involve some virtual aspects, the emotions they generate are quite real.
Emotions are highly complex and subtle phenomena whose explanation requires careful and systematic analysis of their multiple characteristics and components. The major reason for the complexity of emotions is their great sensitivity to personal and contextual circumstances. Cyberspace also involves a complex psychological reality: it includes many forms of relating that are highly available because of the imaginary nature of cyberspace. In light of this complexity, it is hard to generalize about the emotional realm in cyberspace.
The typical cause of emotion: A perceived significant change
Better make it four; I don't think I can eat eight.
Yogi Berra's reply when asked if he wanted his pizza cut into four or eight slices.Emotions typically occur when we perceive positive or negative significant changes in our personal situation, or in the situation of those related to us. A major positive or negative change significantly improves or interrupts a stable situation relevant to our concerns.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Love OnlineEmotions on the Internet, pp. 58 - 77Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004