Virtual Relationships

Question 1

reduced cues theory

Answer 1

sproull and kiesler
- computer communication is less effective than FtF ones, as lacks cues
- CMC lacks cues due to emotional state
- leads to de-individuation, reduces sense of self identity, which in turn encourages disinhibition in relating to others
- virtual relationships likely to involve blunt and aggressive communication
- reluctant to self-disclose, very impersonal

Question 2

gates

Answer 2

any obstacle to the formation of a relationship

Question 3

hyper-personal model

Answer 3

argues vr can be more personal and involve greater self-disclosure than F2F ones, can develop very quickly so self-disclosure happens earlier, more intense and intimate when established

Question 4

2 key features of hyper-personal model

Answer 4

1. sender of a message has greater control over what to disclose and the cues they send than they would in a F2F situation, sender manipulates self-images to present themselves in an idealised way, hyperhonest or hyoerdishonest
2. receiver gains positive impression of the sender, they may give feedback, that reinforces senders selective self-representation

Question 5

benefit of gating being absent

Answer 5

individual is able to be their true self

Question 6

limitation of gating being absent

Answer 6

person can change gender or age, to create untrue identities to become extroverted

Question 7

absense of gating

Answer 7

vr can develop to the point where self-disclosure becomes more frequent and deeper and “get off the ground”

Question 8

lack of support for reduced cues

Answer 8

tidwell
- use other cues, such a timing and style of messages
- taking time to reply to a social media status update may be more intimate than an immediate response, but taking too much time can also be taken the other way
- nuances in vr tha are just as subtle as ones in f2f, emojis can all be used as substitues for tone of voice and expressions
- vr can be just as personal as f2f

Question 9

lack of support for hyperpersonal

Answer 9

meta analysis 25
- comparing self-disclosure and virtual interactions
- frequency of breadth, depth of self-disclosure > in f2f
- experimental studies showed no differences between the 2 types of relationships
- contradicts

Question 10

support for absence of gating

Answer 10

shy, anxious, and lonely people find virtual relationships valuable
- McKenna > looked at online communication, by shy, lonely and socially anxious people, able to express true selves more than in f2f situations
71% survived at least 2 years, compares will with offline world