Relationships : Virtual Relationships Flashcards
Virtual relationships
Virtual relationships are relationships where people are not physically present but communicate exclusively using online methods such as e-mails, social media, or even by
texting.
Absence of Gating
Absence of gating refers to the way that virtual relationships are relatively anonymous. People are unable to use physical features such as attractiveness or age when considering whether or not they wish to form a relationship with someone else online. Therefore, the ‘gates’, which are potential barriers that might limit the opportunities for shy or less attractive individuals, are removed (absent) online.
What is the difference between face to face and online relationships?
- One prominent difference between face-to-face and virtual relationships is the fact that self-disclosure tends to occur much faster. One reason for this is the anonymity associated with online relationships; people tend to hold off disclosing personal information in real life for fear of ridicule or rejection, unless they are confident that they can trust the person and that information won’t be leaked to mutual friends.
- However, there is much less risk of this in virtual relationships, so people can share personal experiences and thoughts without much risk of the intimate information getting to the people they know.
What is the hyperpersonal model?
- Walther (1996, 2011) proposed the hyperpersonal model of virtual relationships, suggesting that, as self-disclosure in online relationships happens earlier than in face-to-face ones, relationships quickly become more intense and feel more intimate and meaningful. They can also end more quickly, however, as it is difficult to sustain the same level of intense self-disclosure for a long time.
- Walther also suggests that virtual relationships may feel more intimate because it is easier to manipulate self disclosure online than face-to-face. Participants in online conversation have more time to ‘edit’ their responses to present themselves in a more positive light; Walther calls this ‘selective self-presentation’. Projecting a positive image will then make an online partner want to disclose more personal information, increasing the intensity of the relationship
What did sprout and Kisler suggest? ( Reduced Cues Theory)
- Sproull and Kiesler (1986) suggested that online relationships might be less open and honest than face-to-face ones, because in real life we are relying on a lot of subtle cues, such as facial expressions and tone of voice, and these cues are absent in virtual communications (Reduced Cues Theory).
- According to this theory, reduction in communication cues leads to de-individuation 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 may fear becoming victims of verbal violence.
What is absence of gating?
- Another difference between online and face-to-face interactions is absence of gating. In real life, our attraction to other people is greatly influenced by their appearance, mannerisms and factors such as age and ethnicity, limiting our choice of potential partners.
- In virtual interactions, however, these barriers (‘gates’) are absent; this creates more opportunities for shy and less attractive people to develop romantic relationships.
- Even when these factors are discovered later, when relationships move from virtual to the face-to-face phase, they rarely decrease an already-developed attraction, as a result of the feeling of intimacy brought by more open self-disclosure.
- The absence of gating also means that people can establish virtual identities they could never create face-to-face. A shy person can become outgoing and extraverted, for example.
Research supporting virtual relationships
- Whitty and Joinson’s (2009) research clearly demonstrates the effect of virtual environment of self-disclosure. The 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.
-Furthermore, Rosenfeld and Thomas (2012) showed the importance of online communication for developing romantic relationships. They investigated whether there was a link between having internet access at home and being involved in a romantic relationship. Out of 4,000 participants studied, 71.8% of those with internet access were married or had a romantic partner, compared to only 35.9% of those without internet access. These findings suggest that a virtual environment helps people to establish and maintain romantic relationships.
Research supporting absence of gating?
-Baker and Oswald (2010) suggest that the absence of gating in virtual relationships may be particularly useful for shy people. They asked 207 male and female participants to complete a questionnaire, scoring their answers in terms of shyness, internet use and perception of quality of their friendships. They found that those people who scored highly on shyness and internet use, perceived the quality of their friendships as high; this correlation was absent for people with low shyness scores. The findings imply that as online communication helps people to overcome their shyness, so the quality of their face-to-face communication also improves.
- Zhao et al. (2008) claim that the absence of gating, and more meaningful self- disclosure online also has positive effects on people’s offline relationships. As they can create an online identity that is appreciated by others, it enhances their overall self-image and increases the quality of their face-to-face relationships as well. This supports the suggestion about the positive effect of virtual relationships on face-to- face ones.
What is self-disclosure in virtual relationships?
- Self-Disclosure – revealing personal information about yourself and revealing more as a romantic develops
• The influence of social media has seen people develop and maintain romantic relationships without ever meeting in person
• Self-disclosure varies depending on whether one is revealing information publicly or privately
• Online anonymity
What is strangers on a train study?
Rubin (1970)
• Internet interactions might be comparable to the interactions individuals would have while on public transport
• Carried out a series of studies where confederates disclosed personal information about themselves to a complete stranger on a train, in an airport lounge or at a bus stop
• When confederates disclosed intimate details about themselves to the stranger, the stranger reciprocated with self-disclosure
What is selective self presentation ( Hyperpersonal Model)
• The sender of a message has more time to manipulate their image
• Makes it easier to manipulate self-disclosure to promote intimacy, by self-presenting in an idealised way
What is Anonymity ( Hyperpersonal Model)
• Bargh et al (2002) – strangers on a train effect
• When you are aware that other people don’t know your identity, you feel less accountable for your behaviour
• You may disclose more about yourself to a stranger
Support for the Hyperpersonal Model
- People are motivated to self-disclose in CMC in ways that are ‘hyperhonest’ or ‘hyperdishonest’
- Whitty and Joinson (2009)
• Questions asked in online discussions tend to be very direct, probing and intimate
• Avoids ‘small talk’
• The way in which we self-disclose is designed to present ourselves in an exaggeratedly positive light
What are “Gates”
• ‘GATE’ - a feature or obstacle that could interfere with the development of a relationship
• Gates can be physical eg. weight or disfigurement, or a personality trait eg. shyness
• Two people could be compatible and attracted to one another - but a gate prevents this from happening
What did McKenna and Bargh (1999) Say about Absence of Gating
- Absence of gating allows the relationship to kickstart more so that a FtF interaction
- It refocuses attention on self-disclosure and away from superficial distractons
- “I am more interested in what you tell me that what you look like”
- People are free to create their own identities – anyone can be whatever they want to be
