Overdependence on Technology: Cause of The Rise of Online Deviance

The current chapter of this dissertation seeks to develop a detailed background of the current study. This will shed light on the selected study and an increased understanding of the same. Embracing this route will see the role and inflience of overdependence on technology as this essay explores this topic within the concept of black triad. This will be followed by stating the research objectives and research questions to be responded to in the study.

The Relation Between Overdependence on Technology and Cyber Agression

The increased use of technology in the current society has emerged as a new normal. As confirmed by Moor and Anderson, and Stiff, 21st Century society is characterised by over-dependence on technology, especially when communicating with one another. Indeed, the over-dependence is solely from the efficiency that comes with technology through the various social media platforms. For instance, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, among other forms of social media, have made it easy for family members or individuals to communicate with their relatives overseas. The use of such sites has been effective and less costly, with spouses or those having intimate relationships choosing to embrace this route.

Several scholarly works have established that the increased dependence on technology alongside various social media forms has risks individuals developing negative behaviors. In support of the above assertions, studies by Coyne, Stockdale, and Summers have established that at least 70% of teenagers and more than 90% of adults operate and own a mobile phone. It is the expansion of technology that has resulted in the dramatic rise in the use of technology. For instance, at least 70% of youths between 18 and 29 subscribe to various social networking websites. Such an environment defined for social interaction has considerably created the rise of different forms of aggression.

Among the rising issues between spouses embracing social interaction is cyber aggression. While referring to cyber aggression, studies by Marganski and Melander, and Watkins, Maldonado and DiLillo, and refer to the adoption of various communication technologies for social interaction such as WhatsApp and Facebook and text messaging to facilitate a repeated harassing behavior. An individual can do this to the other, where the objective is to harm the target or recipient. As confirmed, cyber aggression has proven to be a new form of bullying, with the trend mostly observed between teens and young adults. The trend is observed between college students, where a considerable number of reports being victimised by cyberbullying, at least at one point in time.

In the 21st century, cyber aggression is emerging as a new normal in different social contexts, including intimate partner violence. Such a trend has paved the way to what Marganski and Melander and Melander and Marganskirefer to as intimate partner violence, commonly referred to as IPV (Intimate Partner Violence). According to Brem et al., IPV is all about engaging in various forms of violence such as physical and sexual violence and stalking. The list extends to psychological aggression, where the individual performing the act to the recipient may be a current intimate partner. There are instances where a former intimate partner might victimise one. Previous studies, including Cava et al., and Pineda et al., have established that IPV is no longer a face-to-face encounter, and instead, aggression is assisted through relevant electronic means.

Recent studies have established that cyber aggression in intimate relationships comes with various partner abuse forms, alongside violence. For instance, studies have demonstrated that women encountering domestic-based violence have been subjected to harassment from their husbands through socially interactive technology. This comes alongside other forms of abuse, where some are direct and others indirect, in-person acts. This has paved the way for several scholarly activities, where the focus is on the relationship between cyber-IPA and other forms of IPA in-person.

Youths between the age of 18 -29 have emerged to be the leading group of technology users. The above assertions are confirmed by Sargent et al., asserting that it is the same age of youths, especially those in intimate relationships reported with IPV cases. As Pineda et al., put it, adults of ages 16 to 26 risks subjected to the various forms and types of intimate partner aggression. The above findings have seen scholars suggesting that perhaps there is co-occurrence at the extent by which the two primary forms of IPA are reported among young adults in intimate relationships.

Through technology, couples have had an easy time when it comes to arguing or throwing insults over the phone. According to Hamby et al., the argument can either be via a phone call or via text messaging. With such socially interactive ways of contacting one another, individuals have gone this route while expressive the aggressiveness levels they have towards one another. Indeed, this has called for further researcher to tell the intertwining nature between cyber aggression and IPA, particularly among young adults.

Online Deviance Towards Partners: the Role of Dark Triad Traits

While referring to dark triads, studies by Kaufman et al., and Kiire refer to traits that are both related and distinct, always coupled by absence of empathy. The traits are further characterised by high levels of exploitation, alongside manipulation. For instance, the works of Bloxsom et al., have shown the extent to which these kinds of traits impact relationships, particularly the sexual and romantic ones. A good example is the case of those reported with higher levels of such traits. Such individuals are said to be yearning for short relationships. Besides, they tend to shy away from the commitments that tend to follow a relationship.

Previous scholarly works, including the works of Yang et al., have looked at the extent to which these kinds of traits impact some of the dynamics in romantic relationships. Alavi, Mei and Mehrinezhad, and Brewer et al., have made it clear that dark triad traits enjoy a relation with attachment and accommodation in all cases. They further enjoy some relationship with partner control. All the above factors linked to the dark triad traits have to do with the intimate partners' well-being, together with relationship satisfaction.

If the findings by Velotti et al., are anything to go by, then one can argue that early attachments tend to impact an individual's capability to develop and sustain a successful relationship. This is mostly seen in the case of adulthood. In other words, the internally operating models tend to define how one perceives self and the relationship that one finds self into. There are cases of insecure attachments, mostly coupled with high levels of anxiety and avoidance.

According to Girme et al., and Velotti et al., attachment anxiety is mostly characterised by stronger reactions to any perceived romantic rejection. Other characterising factors are overestimating some of the threats that emanate in a given relationship. In some cases, an individual tends to overestimate the commitment that hisher partner has towards the betterment of the relationship. There are also instances where one underestimates the other party's commitment in the relationship, and high levels of distress, following criticism from the partner.

Behaviors defined or referred to as destructive are always reported in romantic relationships characterised by low quality. As confirmed by Brewer et al., how one responds to the other partner with destructive behavior in an intimate relationship is of great significance. Talking of accommodation, this is all about the act of doing away with destructive impulses whenever a partner is unleashing hisher destructive behavior. In this case, the accommodation is aimed at generating a constructive response.

According to Merolla and Harman, the adoption of constructive responses in an intimate relationship is always beneficial. However, the benefits are only realized when the response is active. That is, the responses tend to lose meaning when they are passive. This encompasses relationship control, which is a critical factor in sustaining peace between two intimate individuals. As seen in the current study, the underlying concern is whether attachment in the dark triad leads to online deviance toward intimate partners.

Conclusion

As stated before, the overdependence on technology has paved the way for different forms of aggression between individuals in an intimate relationship. Several studies have been directed on the extent to which dark triad behavior influences the health and well-being of a relationship. However, no research has been done to establish how the underlined effect of attachment on dark triad traits impacts online deviance toward intimate partners. significant study gap in this area. The increased aggression cases between relationships might be attributed to the lack of studies shedding light on the same.

As stated before, no study has been done to establish the extent to which the underlined effect of attachment on dark triad traits impacts online deviance toward intimate partners. Such a research gap behind the increased aggression between relationships, which might be attributed to the lack of studies shedding light. Thus, developing the current research to the end will see the researcher addressing this vital research gap while at the same time offering solutions and recommendations to the threat.

References

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