A mere holding effect: Haptic influences on impression formation through mobile dating apps

Jaime Banks; David K. Westerman; Liesel L. Sharabi

doi:10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.035

A mere holding effect: Haptic influences on impression formation through mobile dating apps

Jaime Banks, David K. Westerman, Liesel L. Sharabi

Dep of Advertising & Brand Strategy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tandem advances in mobile technologies and social networks have given rise to app-initiated romantic relationships. Little is understood, however, about the role of the device in this initiation. This experimental study explored the impact of “mere holding” of mobile devices on impressions formed when consuming dating app content. Mere holding (compared to no-touch viewing) was associated with reduced attraction, ascribed personhood, and psychological ownership. Findings suggest that holding may be experienced as a false realization of potential relationships through physical engagement of devices; theoretically, this realization may be understood as an inversion of interpersonal haptic nonverbals, as holding is less about interpersonal intimacy and more about heuristic engagement with the other as an object.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	303-311
Number of pages	9
Journal	Computers in Human Behavior
Volume	76
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.035
State	Published - Nov 2017

Keywords

Attraction
Haptics
Mobile phones
Online dating
Personhood
Romantic relationships

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10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.035

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title = "A mere holding effect: Haptic influences on impression formation through mobile dating apps",

abstract = "Tandem advances in mobile technologies and social networks have given rise to app-initiated romantic relationships. Little is understood, however, about the role of the device in this initiation. This experimental study explored the impact of “mere holding” of mobile devices on impressions formed when consuming dating app content. Mere holding (compared to no-touch viewing) was associated with reduced attraction, ascribed personhood, and psychological ownership. Findings suggest that holding may be experienced as a false realization of potential relationships through physical engagement of devices; theoretically, this realization may be understood as an inversion of interpersonal haptic nonverbals, as holding is less about interpersonal intimacy and more about heuristic engagement with the other as an object.",

keywords = "Attraction, Haptics, Mobile phones, Online dating, Personhood, Romantic relationships",

author = "Jaime Banks and Westerman, {David K.} and Sharabi, {Liesel L.}",

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AU - Banks, Jaime

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AU - Sharabi, Liesel L.

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Y1 - 2017/11

N2 - Tandem advances in mobile technologies and social networks have given rise to app-initiated romantic relationships. Little is understood, however, about the role of the device in this initiation. This experimental study explored the impact of “mere holding” of mobile devices on impressions formed when consuming dating app content. Mere holding (compared to no-touch viewing) was associated with reduced attraction, ascribed personhood, and psychological ownership. Findings suggest that holding may be experienced as a false realization of potential relationships through physical engagement of devices; theoretically, this realization may be understood as an inversion of interpersonal haptic nonverbals, as holding is less about interpersonal intimacy and more about heuristic engagement with the other as an object.

AB - Tandem advances in mobile technologies and social networks have given rise to app-initiated romantic relationships. Little is understood, however, about the role of the device in this initiation. This experimental study explored the impact of “mere holding” of mobile devices on impressions formed when consuming dating app content. Mere holding (compared to no-touch viewing) was associated with reduced attraction, ascribed personhood, and psychological ownership. Findings suggest that holding may be experienced as a false realization of potential relationships through physical engagement of devices; theoretically, this realization may be understood as an inversion of interpersonal haptic nonverbals, as holding is less about interpersonal intimacy and more about heuristic engagement with the other as an object.

KW - Attraction

KW - Haptics

KW - Mobile phones

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KW - Personhood

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A mere holding effect: Haptic influences on impression formation through mobile dating apps

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Keywords

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