Lesson 9 - Virtual Relationships In Social Media

Question 1

Prominent different between FtF and virtual relationships

Answer 1

Self disclosure occurs faster

People tend to hold off from disclosing personal information or thoughts out of fear or rejection or ridicule, but anonymity online eliminates this. There is little risk of intimate information getting out to people close to you if you are talking to a stranger online

Question 2

Rubin (1975)

Answer 2

‘Strangers on a train’

Confederates were asked to disclose personal information about themselves to complete strangers on trains, airport lounges or at a bus stop. Rubin found that this was met with reciprocal self disclosure from the stranger

Question 3

Theories explaining virtual relationships

Answer 3

Hyperpersonal model (Walther, 1996, 2011)
Reduced cues (Sproull and Kiesler, 1986)

Question 4

The Hyperpersonal Model

Answer 4

• Can be more personal and self disclosure occurs faster than FtF
• The relationship develops faster as self disclosure occurs earlier, and these relationships tend to be more intimate

There are two key features of hyperpersonal self disclosure:

1. Selective self-presentation - the sender has greater control over what to disclose than FtF. They can manipulate their image and create a more idealised version of themselves. To do this, the self disclosure can be very truthful (hyperhonest) or very false (hyperdishonest)
2. The receiver will have a positive impression of the sender, and may send positive feedback, like compliments, which reinforce the senders manipulated image

Question 5

Reduced cues theory

Answer 5

Sproull and Kielser (1986) state that virtual relationships are less effective than FtF ones because of the absence of important cues like non-verbal communication like facial expressions and tone. This can lead to a reduced sense of identity/de-individuation and disinhibition. You may feel more comfortable to express yourself in a way that is unusual to you.

Question 6

Absence of gating

Answer 6

According to McKenna and Bargh (1999), a gate is an obstacle to forming a relationship. In FtF relationships, there are several obstacles, like physical unattractiveness or anxiety.

In virtual relationships, these obstacles are not present, like mannerisms or appearance. Therefore people with social anxiety or less attractive people can develop romantic relationships. Even if you find out the person is less attractive, this will not always decrease the already built feeling of intimacy, created by self disclosure.

Question 7

Strengths of virtual relationships

Answer 7

• Whitty and Joinson (2009) found that through looking at evidence of self-presentation in virtual relationships, they found that it was manipulated, as questions tended to be very direct and intimate (hyper honest) which supports that there is more self disclosure online
• There is research support for the absence of gating online. McKenna and Bargh (2000) looked at online communication by socially anxious, shy people, and found that they were able to express their ‘true selves’ more than FtF situations. 71% of shy people who formed relationships online survived the first 2 years, but according to Kirdpatrick and Davis (1994) only 49% of relationships survived FtF.

Question 8

Weaknesses of virtual relationships

Answer 8

• Walther and Tidwell (1995) found that the ‘absence’ of cues may not be accurate, but instead they may just be different. For example, taking a long time to reply to something may be seen as a snob, while being quick may be a sign of interest. Emoticons and acronyms can also be used as a substitute for facial expressions and tone. Therefore reduced cues theory does not explain how virtual relationships can be just as personal as FtF
• Lack of support for the hyperpersonal model. Rupel et al (2017) found that in a meta-analysis of 25 studies, there was actually a higher frequency, breadth and depth of self disclosure in FtF relationships compared to online. Other experimental research has found no significant difference between the two. Therefore this contradicts the hyperpersonal model.
• Nakanishi (1986) found that compared to American culture, Japanese women preferred less self-disclosure in close relationships. Therefore, these theories are rooted in Western ideals, as the technology is not readily available in some countries. Therefore it cannot explain all relationships