RELATIONSHIPS ( VIRTUAL R/SHIPS) Flashcards
Define virtual relationships
Virtual relationships are relationships that are conducted through the internet rather than face to face , eg through social media
Outline Computer mediated communication and it’s two branches ( reduced cues & hyper personal theories )
Reduced cues - Virtual relationships are less effective than face to face ones. Non- verbal cues are missed ( emotion, appearance, facial expressions). Reduces people’s sense of individual identity leading lack of relating to others. There is reluctance to self disclose.
Hyperpersonal theory - online relationships can be more personal and involve greater self disclosure than f2f ones. Self disclosure happens earlier and can become more intense and intimate. They can end more quickly as high excitement level of interaction isn’t matched by trust bet partners.
Outline how the absence of gates can impact virtual relationships
Gates are the barriers that limit opportunities for less attractive , shy or less socially skilled to form relationships in face to face encounters. This is an advantage because relationships can grow to a point where self-disclosure becomes more frequent and deep. Online people are more interested in what you say than what you look like
Evaluate Virtual Relationships
Point: Lack of research support for the reduced cues theory
Evidence : Walter and Tidwell ( 1995) point out that people in online interactions use other cues such as style and timing of the messages taking time to reply.
Explanation : Acrostics ( such as ‘lol’ ,emotions and emojis are used as effective substitutes for facial expressions and tone of voice in f2f communication. Reduced cue theory is difficult to explain this because online communications can be just as personal
Point : Research support for the hyperpersonal model
Evidence : This model predicts that people are motivated to self disclose in online communication sometimes hyperhonest or hyperdishonest . Whittly and joinson evidence
Explanation : Questions asked in online discussions tend to be very direct , probing and intimate. Different from f2f coversations which are often hedged by small talk . This supports a central assertion of the model which is that the way we self disclose in online conversations is designed to present us in a positive light.
Point : Types of online communication
Evidence : Paine et al 2006 people self disclose more on facebook than on online e-commerce webforms.
Explanation : People disclose less on dating websites than they do on gaming websites as there is a view that people will meet F2F one day if spoken on dating apps
