Self disclosure In Virtual Relationships

Question 1

What is a virtual relationship?

Answer 1

A virtual relationship is a non physical interaction of people communicating via social media. Also known as CMC (computer mediated communication).

Question 2

What is the reduced cues theory?

Answer 2

CMC is less honest and open then face to face communication due to the lack on non verbal cues such as facial expressions, tone of voice, physical appearance etc.

The absence of these cues deindividualises people leading to normally restrained behaviour such as aggression occurring. This leads to lower levels of self disclosure due to a fear of being victimised by verbal violence.

Disinhibition ,in which people say more hurtful things online then in real life) occurs so self disclosure if further reduced due to people fearing being ridiculed.

Question 3

Hyper personal model

Answer 3

Self disclosure happens earlier online then face to face so the relationship will become intense more quickly as anonymity protects them from ridicule. However it is hard to maintain this level of self disclosure for long leading to a shorter relationship.
It also leads to selective self presentation, people have time to edit their responses to paint themselves in a more positive light. This positive image will encourage the partner to self disclose further increasing intensity.

Question 4

Evaluation of reduced cue theory

Answer 4

• ) reduced cue theory was developed when social media lacked face to face interaction so they were less rich in non verbal communication than real life interactions. However now technology allows for live interaction much more similar to real life interactions.
• ) Non verbal communication is not absent from virtual relationships, the cues are just different ie emoticons are used as substitutes for facial expressions and intonation. The timing of responses is also an important form on non verbal communication.

Question 5

Evaluation of hyper personal model

Answer 5

+) Research has demonstrated the effect of being inline on self disclosure. In online discussion forums questions and answers tend to be more direct, probing and intimate then everyday face to face interactions which supports the hyperpersonal models prediction.

• ) Research has found that relationships which vein online are more durable then other relationships, which goes against the hyperpersonal models prediction that they end faster. This could be because of the more open self disclosure early on in the relationship?
• ) Self disclosure varies depending on the online context, ie people disclose more on gaming websites then dating websites as the latter is more likely going to lead to to face nesting in the future.