October 2006    

Double Click: Romance and Commitment Among Online Couples Author: Andrea J. Baker Publisher: Hampton Press $24.95 paper (220 p) ISBN: 9780521853781 B&T         YBP Reviewed by Julie Marston, Customer Service In Double Click: Romance and Commitment Among Online Couples, Andrea Baker sets out to study relationships of couples who met online. Eighty-nine couples answered a lengthy questionnaire. All participants were internet savvy and open to meeting people in chat rooms or at online dating services. Each couple was deemed "successful" or "unsuccessful" based on whether or not they were still together at the time of the book's publication. The study describes the ways in which people can interact without the use of all of the senses. Many couples increased their use of emoticons as the relationship deepened. There was much analysis of the process of forming relationships in this sphere, debunking the current theories that physical attraction and proximity are necessary for an intimate relationship. The book went on to assess which factors need to be present for a "successful" relationship. They found four different factors that differentiate successful couples from unsuccessful couples. The first of these is place: where the couples met online. The fact that both parties would go to the same web site narrows the field of potential mates to those who have similar interests. Also important is where the couples meet in real life. Another category is called obstacles. Couples that were able to negotiate obstacles well were more likely to be successful. Also, self presentation played a role. Couples that were more honest and less caring about looks tended to be more successful. Timing was also deemed important. The length of time that couples corresponded before meeting in person was a factor in whether or not the couple was successful. This book works as an initial study of online romantic relationships. The e-mail quotes from the participants are particularly good at illustrating the principles discussed. One major flaw would be the use of acronyms such as irl for "in real life". By the time I was a quarter way through the book, I needed a chart to keep track of them all! Published by YBP Library Services 999 Maple St., Contoocook, NH 03229 USA v: 800.258.3774   f: 603.746.5628 w: www.ybp.com   e: academia@ybp.com All rights reserved.