Say not to Say: New perspectives on miscommunication L. Anolli, R. Ciceri and G. Riva (Eds.) IOS Press, 2001 10 Cyber-Attraction: The Emergence of Computer-Mediated Communication in the Development of Interpersonal Relationships Fabrizia MANTOVANI Abstract: The main goal of this chapter is the analysis of cyber-attraction: the emergence of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) in the development of interpersonal attraction. According to recent theories and studies, it would seem that not only does CMC support emotional and intensely involving communication between people, but also that it would be characterized by and offer a specific allure, a special element that makes it so fascinating. In particular, different forms of miscommunication - implicit, say not to say, and obliquity – play an important role in this process. Starting from this background, the chapter addresses the effects of CMC on interpersonal communication, and especially on the development of interpersonal attraction, aiming at identifying the specific features that this process has in cyberspace. At the same time, the chapter underlines the fact that online and offline are not two separate dimensions to be dealt with separately and almost dichotomously. A broader approach to the study of interpersonal communication in CMC is needed: flexible and complex enough to account for the use of communication strategies in interaction contexts characterized by different levels of virtuality and by the presence of interfaces. Contents 10.1 Introduction…………………………………………………. 236 10.2 Supporting “relational”communication in CMC…………… 237 10.3 From cyber-attraction to cyber-seduction………………….. 239 10.4 Towards a new perspective in cyber-seduction: communicating and miscommunicating in cyberspace……………………… 243 10.5 Conclusions………………………………………………… 247 10.6 Acknowledgements………………………………………… 249 10.7 References………………………………………………….. 250