Relationships- Virtual relationships in social media Flashcards
Self-disclosure -
Revealing personal information about yourself. Romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as their relationship develops. These self-disclosures about one’s deepest thoughts and feelings can strengthen a romantic bond when used appropriately.
Absence of gating -
Face-to-face (FF) relationships often fail to form because of obstacles such as facial disfigurements that some people might find off-putting. These barriers or ‘gates’ are absent in computer-mediated communication (CMC) allowing virtual relationships to begin in a way they couldn’t in the offline world.
What is the role of self-disclosure in virtual relationships?
Self-disclosure is a crucial feature of virtual relationships, just as it is in face-to-face (FtF) relationships. It plays a key role in forming and maintaining relationships in computer-mediated communication (CMC).
What are the two major theories explaining self-disclosure in virtual relationships?
The two major theories are the reduced cues theory and the hyperpersonal model.
What does the reduced cues theory propose?
The reduced cues theory, proposed by Lee Sproull and Sara Kiesler (1986), argues that CMC relationships are less effective than FtF ones because they lack nonverbal cues such as physical appearance, facial expressions, and tone of voice. This leads to de-individuation, disinhibition, and a reluctance to self-disclose.
What is selective self-presentation in the hyperpersonal model?
Selective self-presentation refers to the ability of individuals in CMC to manipulate their online image by controlling what they disclose and the cues they send, promoting intimacy by presenting themselves in a positive and idealized way.
What is de-individuation in the context of reduced cues theory?
De-individuation refers to the reduced sense of individual identity in CMC due to the absence of nonverbal cues, which can lead to blunt or aggressive communication and less self-disclosure.
What does the hyperpersonal model propose?
The hyperpersonal model, proposed by Joseph Walther (1996, 2011), argues that online relationships can be more personal and involve greater self-disclosure than FtF ones. Relationships develop quickly, are more intense, and can end quickly due to the high excitement level unmatched by trust.
What is the “strangers on a train” effect in CMC?
The “strangers on a train” effect refers to the tendency for people to disclose more about themselves in CMC due to anonymity, feeling less accountable for their behavior, similar to how people might disclose more to strangers in FtF situations.
What is the absence of gating in virtual relationships?
Absence of gating refers to the lack of obstacles (such as physical unattractiveness, social anxiety, or speech impediments) in CMC that can interfere with relationship formation. This allows relationships to develop more easily and self-disclosure to occur more frequently and deeply.
How does absence of gating refocus attention in virtual relationships?
Absence of gating shifts focus from superficial features (like appearance) to self-disclosure, allowing individuals to create online identities that they might not be able to maintain in FtF interactions.
What research supports the hyperpersonal model?
Research by Monica Whitty and Adam Joinson (2009) shows that self-disclosure in CMC can be “hyperhonest” or “hyperdishonest,” with online discussions often being more direct, probing, and intimate than FtF conversations. This supports the model’s assertion that self-disclosure in CMC is designed to present oneself in an exaggeratedly positive light.
What is a limitation of the reduced cues theory?
The reduced cues theory is limited because it assumes nonverbal cues are entirely missing in CMC. However, cues such as message style, timing, emoticons, and emojis are used to convey emotions, making CMC interactions just as personal as FtF ones.
How does the type of CMC affect self-disclosure?
Self-disclosure varies depending on the type of CMC. For example, people disclose more on social networking sites like Facebook than in e-commerce forms. In online dating, self-disclosure is reduced because communicators anticipate future FtF meetings.
What is the multimodal nature of modern relationships?
Modern relationships are conducted both online and offline through various media. What is disclosed online is influenced by offline interactions, and vice versa, making relationships multimodal.
Is the reduced cues theory supported by research?
No, research by Walther and Tidwell (1995) shows that nonverbal cues in CMC are not absent but different, such as the timing and style of messages, which can convey emotional states effectively.
What research supports the absence of gating explanation?
McKenna and Bargh (2000) found that lonely and socially anxious people could express their “true selves” more in CMC than in FtF situations. Of the romantic relationships that formed online, 70% survived more than two years, a higher proportion than offline relationships.
What is a limitation of theories focusing on CMC?
Theories like the reduced cues theory and hyperpersonal model may not fully account for the multimodal nature of modern relationships, where online and offline interactions influence each other.
What is a strength of the hyperpersonal model?
The hyperpersonal model is supported by evidence showing that self-disclosure in CMC is often more direct and intimate than in FtF interactions, helping to form relationships more quickly and intensely.
What is the “boom and bust” phenomenon in online relationships?
The “boom and bust” phenomenon, described by Alvin Cooper and Leda Sportolari (1997), refers to the rapid development and intensity of online relationships, which can end quickly due to the high excitement level not being matched by trust.
How does anonymity promote self-disclosure in CMC?
Anonymity in CMC reduces accountability, making individuals feel freer to disclose more about themselves, similar to the “strangers on a train” effect in FtF interactions.
What is the role of emoticons and emojis in CMC?
Emoticons and emojis serve as substitutes for facial expressions and tone of voice in CMC, helping to convey emotional states and making online interactions more personal and nuanced.
