Relationships: Virtual Relationships Flashcards
what’s a theory contradicts self-disclosure in virtual relationships?
reduced cues theory. Sproull + Kiesler said virtual relationships are less effective as they lack cues that we depend on in face-to-face interactions such as facial expressions and tone of voice. this leads to de-individualisation as it reduces people’s sense of identity which encourages disinhibition. this is more likely to involve blunt and aggressive communication, meaning reluctance to self-disclosure.
what model supports self-disclosure in virtual relationships?
the hyperpersonal model. Walther said self-disclosure can be more personal because they develop quicker as self-disclosure happens earlier and once established is more intimate and intense. they can end more quickly because high excitement levels don’t match trust levels (boom and bust phenomenon).
what’s a key feature of hyperpersonal model?
that the sender of a message has more time to manipulate their online image than they would face-to-face. they have more control on what to disclose and the cues they send. easier to promote intimacy by self-presenting in an idealised way. anonymity is another benefit. you feel less accountable for your actions when people don’t know your identity so more likley to disclose more.
what’s absence of gating?
a gate is an obstacle that FtF interactions are as they involve many features that interfere with the early development. McKenna + Bargh argue absence of gating is an advantage as the relationship can develop until self-disclosure is deeper. it allows it to ‘get off the ground’. it refocuses attention on self-disclosure and away from distracting features. it also means people are free to create own identities that they could never manage.
what’s a lack of research support for reduced cues theory? (A03)
the theory states nonverbal cues are missing, they’re just different. Walther + Tidwell said online interactions involve other cues (style and timing of messages). they are just as subtle as in FtF. acronyms and emojis are effective substitues for facial expressions and tone of voice. it shows virtual can be just as personal as FtF.
what’s research support for the hyperpersonal model? (A03)
it predicts people are motivated to self-disclose in ‘hyperhonest’ ways. Whitty + Joinson found questions asked online were more direct, probing and intimate while FtF is often hedging around with small talk.
what are the types of virtual communication?
self-disclosure depends on the type of communication. Paine found people self-disclose more on Facebook status updates than they are willing to in an online e-commerce webform. self-disclosure is reduced on online dating as both people anticipate further meetings FtF. any theory on virtual communication can’t neglect its richness and variety.
