relationships: virtual relationships ao3 Flashcards
Reduced cues theory - lacking temporal validity
P; reduced cues theory lacks temporal vanity
E: Reduced cues theory states, CMC less effective because of the lack in non-verbal cues. This leads to de-individuation. Reducing peoples individual feeling and causing them to act more disinhibited towards others.
E: however this does not take into account features on devices now which which allows for an element of face to face interactions, for example use of emojis, voice notes and FaceTime. This is an effective substitute for non verbal present in ftf interactions that according to this theory cmc lacks.
L: reduced cues theory doesn’t take this into consideration and so lacks validity whereby it cannot explain the sucess of some cmc relatioships we hear it is possible emotional states.
Lack of research support for HPM (hyper personal model) + counterpoint (methodology)
P; one limitation of the hyperpersonal model is that it is challenged by the findings of meta analyses.
EE: for example, Ruppel et al carried out a meta analysis of 25 studies that compared self disclosures in ftf and virtual relationships. They found that self report studies showed that the frequency, breadth and depth of self disclosures were all greater in ftf relationships.
L; however this contradicts the hyper personal models prediction that the greater intimacy of virtual relationships should lead to more frequent, more intimate self disclosures than in ftf communications.
- however it the methodology of the study could be critiqued. It relies on self report methods that can give rise to dishonest answers via demand characteristics. Ppts may not want to reveal that they have low levels of self disclosure in theor relationships and be embarrassed in front of researcher so are dishonest. Can be explained via social desirability bias.
Brings internal validity of research into question.
(Counterpoint to lack of support for hyperpersonal model) -
for idea that ftf and virtual relationships differ in type of self disclosure
P; However, despite this evidence, there is some support for the idea that that Ft and virtual relationships differ in the type of self-disclosure used. Whitty and Joinson (2009) summarise evidence showing how self-presentation is manipulated in virtual relationship.
EE; For example, questions asked in online discussions tend to be very direct, probing and intimate. Equally people will often invent attractive qualities for their online dating profiles This is quite different from FtF conversations which generally involve features such as “small talk” rather than intense hyper-honesty or dishonesty.
L; This supports the model’s claims about hyper-dishonest and hyper-honest self-disclosures and shows there are differences between Ft and virtual relationships.
Support for absense of gating - positive social implications
P; one positive element of the lack of gates in cmc relationships is that shy, lonely and socially anxious ppl find virtual relationships especially valuable
EE: McKenna and Bargh (2000) looked at online communications by shy, lonely and socially anxious ppl and found that these people were able to express their true selves more than in ftf si
