Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2018
Capstone Advisor
Krista Kennedy
Honors Reader
Lois Agnew
Capstone Major
Writing Program
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Humanities
Subject Categories
Arts and Humanities | Nonfiction | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
This analytical study of mobile dating applications offers insight into how the gamification of dating shapes the perception and influences the pursuit of intimacy by users. This study explores the rhetorical theory of gamification, utilizing it as a lens through which to look at the construction of user experience (UX) by app developers as well as the navigation of user interface (UI) by ‘players.’ Delving deeper into the three sites of study- Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid- through gamification provides a clearing understanding of the ways in which turning dating into a game changes how individuals approach intimacy. The project proves these dating applications are games through the application of Richard Bartle’s player theory. Then, it turns to Ian Bogost’s conceptualization of gamification to understand what it is and how dating app developers use it. From here, the research pulls in Liza Pott’s work in digital architecture so as to identify three gamified systems in dating application design and explores how each transforms dating into a game. The analysis then works retroactively to apply these systems to Bartle’s player theory in order to form understandings of how they create each player, shape their perceptions of intimacy, and guide their pursuit for it within the app. Lastly, the piece addresses ethos, specifically the perpetuation of authentic self versus ideal self in the construction of dating profiles. This is to understand how the creation of gamified players molds user perception of character and credibility.
Recommended Citation
Welles, Abigail, "Swipe Right: The Pursuit for Intimacy" (2018). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 1289.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/1289
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
