Relationships - Virtual relationships in social media

Question 1

what is the reduced cue theory

Answer 1

Sproull and Kiseler (1986)
- virtual relationships are more effective that FTF ones as they lack cues we rely on
- reduces a persons sense of individual identity in virtual relationships

Question 2

what is the hyper personal model

Answer 2

Walther
- argue that VR can be more personal and greater SD than FTF
- sender of the message has greater control over what to disclose and cues they send
- send can manipulate their self image
- receiver gains a positive impression of the sender

Question 3

what is a gate

Answer 3

• obstacle to forming a relationship

Question 4

what are the benefits and drawbacks of gating

Answer 4

• absent gates mean that the individuals are free to be more like their true selves
• ## people can make untrue identities about themselves

Question 5

what are the strengths of virtual relationships

Answer 5

McKenna and Bargh (2000)
- looked at online communication by shy, anxious lonely people
- they were more able to express themselves online
- 71% lasted 2 years

Question 6

what are the limitations of virtual relationships

Answer 6

Walther and Tidwell (1995)
- online non verbal cues are different not absent
-taking time to reply could be more intimate but too much time is bad
- acronyms, emojis as subs for facial expression and tones

Ruppel et al (2017)
- meta analysis of 25 studies comparing self disclosure in FTF and VR
- self disclosure greater in FTF