L9 - virtual relationships in social media

Question 1

one difference between ftf and virtual r/s

Answer 1

self disclosure happens faster online
anonymity - less risk of ridicule/rejection
info less likely to get to mutual friends

Question 2

2 theories explaining virtual r/s

Answer 2

hyper personal model
reduced cues

Question 3

what is the hyper personal model and who proposed it

Answer 3

walther
sender has control over disclosure - selective self-presentation in an idealised way (hyperhonest or hyper dishonest)
receiver gains positive impression and sends positive feedback so reinforcing senders selective self-presentation

Question 4

what is reduced cues theory and who proposed it

Answer 4

sproull and kiesler
virtual r/s are less effective - lack sues from ftf interactions
physical appearance/facial expressions/tone of voice
leads to de-individuation -> disinhibition -> people communicate more blunt and aggressively

Question 5

what is a gate

Answer 5

an obstacle to forming a r/s
ftf interactions contains features with interfere with early development of a r/s
e.g. physical unattractiveness/facial disfigurement/stammer/social anxiety

Question 6

2 strengths of virtual r/s in social media

Answer 6

• whitty and joinson found questions in online discussions are hyperhonest (direct/intimate) so supports hyper personal as self disclosure occurs. ftf is more small talk. self-presentation online is hyper dishonest
• mckenna and barth found shy/anxious people express their true selves online not ftf. irl 71% of shy survived a 2yr+ r/s which formed online. so shy people benefit from absence of gating

Question 7

2 weaknesses of virtual r/s in social media

Answer 7

• internet not available in some countries , conclusions drawn cannot be applied, attitudes are diff in different cultures, in japan women prefer less self-disclosure. so level of self-disclosure depends on cultural norms, lowers validity of research, limits range of explanations
• lack of support for hyperpersonal. rupel did meta-analysis comparing self disclosures. self disclosure > in ftf rs. experimental research shows no significant differences in ftf and virtual. findings contradict hyperpersonal that more intimacy in vr/s = more self disclosure than ftf