lesson 9 - self-disclosure in virtual relationships

Question 1

explain the hyper-personal model

Answer 1

Walther (1996) proposed the hyper-personal model of virtual relationships
which argues that there is increased self-disclosure in virtual relationships
(amount and type) and this means that virtual relationships become
deeper/more intimate more quickly than face-to-face relationships. Virtual
relationships can also end more quickly, however, as it is difficult to sustain the
same level of intense self-disclosure for a long time.

Question 2

what is selective self-presentation

Answer 2

Individuals online can engage in selective self-presentation where they only
show/reveal what they choose to reveal. Participants in online conversations
have more time to edit their responses to present themselves in a more positive
light. Projecting a positive image will make a virtual partner want to disclose
more personal information, increasing the intensity of the relationship.

Question 3

strengths of hyper-personal model

Answer 3

Whitty and Joinson (2009) conducted research which clearly demonstrates
the effect of being online on self-disclosure. They discovered that in online
discussion forums both questions and answers tend to be more direct, probing
and intimate than in everyday face-to-face interactions, as the hyper-personal
model would predict.

Question 4

weakness of hyper-personal model

Answer 4

Research has found that relationships which begin online are more durable
than other relationships, rather than ending more quickly as the hyper-personal
model suggests. This is because of more open self-disclosure early on in the
relationship (McKenna and Bargh, 2000).
- Self-disclosure varies depending on the online context. People disclose more
on gaming sites than they do on dating websites because the latter is more
likely to lead to face-to-face encounters in the future.

Question 5

what is reduced cue theory

Answer 5

Spoull and Kiesler (1986) suggested that self-disclosure in virtual relationships
might be LESS open and honest than face-to-face ones. In real life we rely on a
lot of subtle cues, such as facial expressions and tone of voice, which are absent
in virtual relationships. According to reduced cue theory, reduction in non-
verbal communication leads to deindividuation because it diminishes people’s
feelings of individual identity and brings on behaviours that people usually
restrain themselves from displaying, such as aggression. This may make online
communications more aggressive, and the consequence of this is less self-
disclosure from other people, as they becoming the victims of aggression.

Question 6

weakness of reduced cue theory

Answer 6

Reduced cue theory was developed when social media lacked face-to-face
interaction, meaning they were much less rich in non-verbal communication than
real life interactions. However, advanced technology allows for live interaction,
which is much more similar to real life interactions.
- Non-verbal communication is not absent from virtual relationships, the cues
are just different, e.g. emoticons are used as substitutes for facial expression
and intonation. The timing of responses is also an important form of non-verbal
communication (Walther and Tidwell 1995).