For her thesis in the field of Applied Media Studies at the Technical University Ilmenau, Stephanie Osswald wrote about Poppen.de, the German-language sister site of Popcorn.dating. The thesis was completed in 2010. We would like to share some of her findings with you. More Than Just Online Cheating? A comparison of satisfaction in offline and online partnerships Executive Summary, by Stephanie Osswald, BA The aim of the study was to compare satisfaction levels in offline partnerships and online relationships. It was particularly interesting to look at commonalities and differences when someone had both types of relationship at the same time. The study was based on literature about relationships in exchange theory (c.f. Homans, 1958; Thibaut & Kelley, 1959). This theory views social relationships as continuous exchanges of non-material goods. For example, a husband might be meeting his wife’s need for affection, trust and security, and in return she might meet his needs. From this point of view, relationships are a constant give and take of desires and satisfaction. At the center of this approach is a view of the partners as having a limited amount of figurative goods that they can exchange, with these goods have different amounts of value. This could mean that the two partners are looking for very different things in a romantic relationship, and also that each could only satisfy the other to a certain extent. The same dynamics would be at work in online interactions. Two people would get to know each other online, and they would continue communicating and intensify their connection as long as both are getting something positive out of it. This would be distinguished from a non-online relationship, since the fact that it’s computer-mediated would give it certain limitations. Read the full study here: Short version PDF Long version PDF If you’re a student and interested in doing research about Popcorn.dating, we would be happy to hear from you. Write to [email protected] .