HRPYC81
Project 1 Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number: 853851
Due date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS OF ONLINE ROMANTIC
RELATIONSHIPS: MOTIVATIONS FOR DATING APP USE AND THE ROLE OF
LONELINESS
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digitally connected world, dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have
transformed how people initiate and form romantic relationships. These platforms allow
users to bypass traditional dating barriers, offering increased access to potential partners
across social and geographic boundaries (Erevik et al., 2020). While the popularity of dating
apps continues to rise, especially among young adults, psychological questions remain
about what motivates individuals to use them and how emotional needs such as loneliness
may influence this behaviour.
Online romantic relationships differ from traditional offline encounters in that initial
impressions are often based on self-presentation strategies and selective criteria, such as
physical appearance and social status (Lemay et al., 2010). Furthermore, some users may
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS OF ONLINE ROMANTIC
RELATIONSHIPS: MOTIVATIONS FOR DATING APP USE AND THE ROLE OF
LONELINESS
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digitally connected world, dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have
transformed how people initiate and form romantic relationships. These platforms
allow users to bypass traditional dating barriers, offering increased access to
potential partners across social and geographic boundaries (Erevik et al., 2020).
While the popularity of dating apps continues to rise, especially among young adults,
psychological questions remain about what motivates individuals to use them and
how emotional needs such as loneliness may influence this behaviour.
Online romantic relationships differ from traditional offline encounters in that initial
impressions are often based on self-presentation strategies and selective criteria,
such as physical appearance and social status (Lemay et al., 2010). Furthermore,
some users may be motivated by the desire for emotional connection or
entertainment, while others may seek short-term sexual encounters (Van De Wiele &
Tong, 2014). These diverse motivations are likely influenced by the psychological
state of the user, including feelings of social loneliness.
Within the South African context, online dating is gaining momentum, particularly in
urban areas where access to mobile technology is high (Gibbs et al., 2022).
However, research examining the psychological drivers of dating app use in South
Africa remains limited. This study therefore aims to explore two key psychological
constructs: users’ motivations for dating app use and their levels of loneliness, in
order to understand how these factors relate to engagement in online romantic
relationships.
This proposal will draw from psychological and behavioural theories to assess how
these variables interact and what implications they hold for relationship formation in
the digital age.
Project 1 Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number: 853851
Due date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS OF ONLINE ROMANTIC
RELATIONSHIPS: MOTIVATIONS FOR DATING APP USE AND THE ROLE OF
LONELINESS
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digitally connected world, dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have
transformed how people initiate and form romantic relationships. These platforms allow
users to bypass traditional dating barriers, offering increased access to potential partners
across social and geographic boundaries (Erevik et al., 2020). While the popularity of dating
apps continues to rise, especially among young adults, psychological questions remain
about what motivates individuals to use them and how emotional needs such as loneliness
may influence this behaviour.
Online romantic relationships differ from traditional offline encounters in that initial
impressions are often based on self-presentation strategies and selective criteria, such as
physical appearance and social status (Lemay et al., 2010). Furthermore, some users may
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS OF ONLINE ROMANTIC
RELATIONSHIPS: MOTIVATIONS FOR DATING APP USE AND THE ROLE OF
LONELINESS
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s digitally connected world, dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have
transformed how people initiate and form romantic relationships. These platforms
allow users to bypass traditional dating barriers, offering increased access to
potential partners across social and geographic boundaries (Erevik et al., 2020).
While the popularity of dating apps continues to rise, especially among young adults,
psychological questions remain about what motivates individuals to use them and
how emotional needs such as loneliness may influence this behaviour.
Online romantic relationships differ from traditional offline encounters in that initial
impressions are often based on self-presentation strategies and selective criteria,
such as physical appearance and social status (Lemay et al., 2010). Furthermore,
some users may be motivated by the desire for emotional connection or
entertainment, while others may seek short-term sexual encounters (Van De Wiele &
Tong, 2014). These diverse motivations are likely influenced by the psychological
state of the user, including feelings of social loneliness.
Within the South African context, online dating is gaining momentum, particularly in
urban areas where access to mobile technology is high (Gibbs et al., 2022).
However, research examining the psychological drivers of dating app use in South
Africa remains limited. This study therefore aims to explore two key psychological
constructs: users’ motivations for dating app use and their levels of loneliness, in
order to understand how these factors relate to engagement in online romantic
relationships.
This proposal will draw from psychological and behavioural theories to assess how
these variables interact and what implications they hold for relationship formation in
the digital age.
