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This is a draft. Please do not quote without permission of the author. The Impact of Emotionality and Self-Disclosure on Online Dating versus Traditional Dating Larry D. Rosen, Ph.D. California State University, Dominguez Hills The author thanks, in alphabetical order, Kymil Austin, Miyuki Boluyt, Cheyenne Cummings, David Dinishak, Rosalynd Divinity, Judy Garcia, Rosalina Gutierrez, Heidi Johannsen, Tenille Jones, Unique Melvin, Gholpat Senachai, and Nicole Ujadughele for their perseverance in data entry, literature discussions and data analysis. Many of these undergraduate and graduate students were supported by the MBRS RISE program and the McNair Scholars Program. Sincere thanks goes to all the online daters who were willing to candidly tell us about their experiences. Running Head: Online DatingAbstract Online dating is unique in the pursuit of romance. The bond created between potential partners takes a different path than normal dating relationships. Online dating usually begins with a flurry of email messages, each more intimate than the last. Traditional dating relationships that might take months to develop in the real world, take weeks or even days online. Much has been written about cyber-dating but little research has been done. This series of studies examined the online dating process, similarities and differences between online and traditional dating and the impact of emotionality and self-disclosure on first (e-mail) impressions of a potential partner. Vignettes represented initial email messages which varied by the choice of emotional vs. non-emotional wording and level of self-disclosure to a potential female partner. Participants rated impressions of the potential suitors, as well as providing information about characteristics that were important in potential dates. Results indicated that amount of emotionality and self-disclosure affect a person’s perception of a potential partner. In addition, results also showed marked diff