Modern Romance Research Paper
Summary of Article 1
The research study conducted by Luetke et al. (2020) focuses on how the measures put in place to address the outbreak of COVID-19 dramatically influenced the normal lives of Americans. In their study, Luetke et al. (2020) examined the linkage between relationship conflict caused by COVID-19 and sexual/intimate experiences. They collected data from the online surveys shared nationwide. The participants were 1,010 U.S. adults in April. The study evaluated the connection between COVID-19-related relationship conflict and changes in sexual and intimate behaviours among American adults involved in sexual or romantic relationships. The study also examined the linkage between COVID-19-related conflict and the experience of feeling emotionally close to a spouse/partner and the experience of orgasm. Do you need urgent assignment help ? Reach out to us. We endeavor to assist you the best way possible.
The results indicated that 34% of American adults in relationships reported some extent of dissension with their partners due to the pandemic and its accompanying restrictive measures. The participants who experienced regular COVID-19-related dissension with their partners were reported to be more likely to report a reduced number of partnered and solo sexual and intimate behaviours than those who did not experience any conflict. Overall, this research found that since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the related mitigation measures in the U.S., American people have experienced more conflict in their romantic and sexual relations, which was linked to the changes in their sexual and intimate lives.
Summary of Article 2
Sumter & Vandenbosch (2019) conducted a research study on the relationship between the use of dating applications and motivations and the demographic identity variables such as sexual orientation and gender as well as personality-oriented variables among the youth. The study used respondents from a student pool at the University of Amsterdam and the research agency PanelClix panel. The sample number was 541 students between 18 and 30, with a gender distribution of 39.9% men and 60.1% women. 16.5% of the research sample did not exclusively identify as heterosexual. Most of the sample members were Dutch and highly educated. A survey was issued to the two groups, and the administrating environment and instructions were identical for both groups. No further questions were issued at the end of the survey.
About half of the research sample regularly used dating applications, and most identified that Tinder was their popular app. The rate of sexual permissiveness was low among non-application users who were mainly heterosexual. Also, there was high dating nervousness among the application users. The results also showed that among the dating app users, the app motivations, including relational goal motivations such as casual sex and love, entertainment aim motivations like trendiness and excitement, and intrapersonal aim motivations like communication ease and validation of self-worth, were significantly associated with the identity characteristics. For instance, sexual permissiveness was found to be related to the motive of casual sex. Therefore, this study discovered that the identity of dating app users spearheads their engagement in and motivations for mobile dating.
Summary of Article 3
Döring & Poeschl (2019) conducted a research study that aimed at examining the media representations of intimate relationships between humans and robots. The research evaluated the characteristics of the human partner, the robot partner, and the mutual intimate relationship. The number of participants involved was 710 media samples from genres such as non-fictional (48%) and fictional (52%) from 1927 to 2014.
The results of the study showed that the media representations of intimate robot-human relationships tend to show the involved human being partner as the man who experiences disadvantages in his interpersonal relationships. Also, the results showed that the media regularly showed the involved robotic partner as the female sex robot. It was also found that non-fictional media showed the description of intimate robot-human relationships in terms of sexual perspective more often, whereas fictional media portrayed these relationships from a spectrum of cohabitation, emotional aspects, and procreation. The research study generally indicated that media representations of robot-human relationships show stereotypical heteronormativity, gender roles, and emotional intimacy versus sexual intimacy.
Application of Information from Article 1
Reading through the first article by Luetke et al. (2020, I learned that the well-being of a relationship is in its foundations; if a relationship is built precisely on sexual benefits and no connection on other matters, such as emotional and genuine concern for one another, external factors such as financial strain or tragedies such as the pandemic are likely to affect that relationship negatively. However, suppose a relationship has genuine love involving concern, patience, emotional connection, and care. In that case, I think that even during tragedies, the relationship can be stronger because the partners/spouses would be concerned about building and encouraging one another. With such foundations, partners are more likely to look at the problem with the objectivity of solving it and not undermining each other. Besides, it is evident that the pandemic affected almost, if not all, people worldwide. This article means to me that there are likely to be conflicts during hard times when everyone is facing different challenges. However, those relations that truly understand the need for support during those hard times will likely thrive. This may explain why those who reported frequent conflict due to COVID-19 grew apart in terms of intimate relationships and experienced less holding of hands, cuddling, kissing, and hugging. I have learned that people need more love and care during hard times, and those in meaningful relationships ought to realize the importance of this to help each other get through tough times.
Application of Information from Article 2
The fact that Sumter & Vandenbosch (2019) found that young adults are using dating applications because of entertainment, intrapersonal, and relational goals shows that interpersonal relationships do not give the youth their desired goals based on their different variables, such as sexual orientation and gender, among others. It also indicates that people perceived by society as deviants are running to hide in the app among people who can relate to their goals and desires. For instance, Sumter & Vandenbosch (2019) found that young adults who did not entirely identify as heterosexual tend to use the dating app more than heterosexuals. I would, therefore, help my family and friends understand that in as much as dating apps may validate their goals, it is not sustainable, let alone consistent, in meeting their desires. As Sumter & Vandenbosch (2019) discovered, men and women have different expectations while using dating applications. More often than not, it results in disappointments among both women and men. For example, the woman could be looking for a lasting male partner from the app, whereas the man is looking for a casual sexual relationship. At the end of the day, the two of them may end up not meeting the goals they were expecting to achieve from the app. Besides, I would encourage my friends and family that they do not need virtual people to validate who they are in reality. For example, suppose a socially anxious person finds the app as an enabler of ease of communication. In that case, they may never really overcome the social anxiety because the person they interact with may eventually want to meet with them in person, and their social anxiety would still be there. Besides, Sumter & Vandenbosch (2019) find that socially anxious persons may not maintain their communication in the app because they are usually very selective with specific communication preferences. I would help my family understand that the app is simply an enabler, not a solution to their expectations.
Application of Information from Article 3
To begin with, I found this research brow-raising in regards to where the natural human tendencies to socialize are heading. I believe that humans are naturally social beings. Even when they have agendas or goals, such as fulfilling sexual needs and finding it easier with robots, they would still not be able to fulfil other human needs/desires, such as belonging, emotional support, and procreation. With the controversial arguments regarding the media representation of heteronormative assumptions as portrayed in the non-fictional media, even if the diversity of sexual preferences/sexuality were represented in the non-fictional media movies, the fulfilment of human needs would still be futile. I would help my colleagues, friends, and family understand that robots do not have some human characteristics that are essential for human relationships. It would be unwise to pursue desires that are met only temporarily, leaving one devoid.
Limitations of Research Studies and Conclusion
In the first research study by Luetke et al. (2020), the factor of relationships already experiencing conflict even before the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictive measures was not featured. In such a case, when the pandemic strikes, the fragile relationship is threatened because no resilience is built; besides, it would be difficult to evaluate whether the reported conflict cases resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic unless the researchers compared it with pre-COVID-19 relationships. In the second article by Sumter & Vandenbosch (2019), data was collected from self-reported cases where factors like social desirability may have affected the outcome data; thus, the study was biased. For instance, a man may not necessarily admit that they are looking for a lasting romantic relationship from the app, and a woman may not admit that they are looking for casual sex. Also, women self-reported more than men, making the study unbalanced. Future studies can try to incorporate a balance of the sample. In the third article by Döring & Poeschl (2019), it is challenging to measure the attitudes of potential users in regard to intimate robot-human relationships. Besides, the users’ or potential users’ expectations and attitudes may be influenced by their age, religion, and culture and not necessarily the representation of human-robot relationships in the media. The study has also not highlighted the actual and potential effects of emotional and sexual intimacy with robots on society and individuals. Therefore, this leaves room for more research on that.
References
Döring, N., & Poeschl, S. (2019). Love and sex with robots: a content analysis of media representations. International Journal of Social Robotics, 11, 665-677.
Luetke, M., Hensel, D., Herbenick, D., & Rosenberg, M. (2020). Romantic relationship conflict due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in intimate and sexual behaviours in a nationally representative sample of American adults. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 46(8), 747-762.
Sumter, S. R., & Vandenbosch, L. (2019). Dating has gone mobile: Demographic and personality-based correlates of using smartphone-based dating applications among emerging adults. New media & society, 21(3), 655-673.
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Question 
Modern Romance Research Paper
Assessment Description
For this assignment, select three peer-reviewed journal articles, printed in the last 10 years, on a topic related to romance, dating, intimacy, or sexual behaviour (Examples: Influence of dating apps, effects of social media use, the impact of sexual fluidity, intimacy practices while social distancing, changes in dating style between generations, etc.).
Modern Romance Research Paper
The article must meet the following criteria:
1. The articles must be from a peer-reviewed journal.
2. The articles must be obtained from the GCU Library.
3. The articles must be research studies rather than a literature review (i.e., the articles have to have methods, results, and discussion sections).
Using the selected articles, write a 1,000-1,500-word essay including the following components:
1. Briefly summarize the three studies, including the number of participants, how the research was conducted, and the results.
2. Explain how you might use this information to help your clients, friends, family, or yourself.
3. Describe the limitations of the research and potential areas for further exploration. Consider questions that still need to be answered (e.g., Is this true for all cultures? What is the impact of socioeconomic status? Were there enough people in the studies? Would there be a way to study this topic more effectively? etc..)