Virtual Relationships Flashcards
What is a virtual relationship?
A wide variety of electronic communication methods by which relationships can be formed and maintained. For example chat rooms, dating apps and social networking sites like Facebook or Instagram.
Why do people enter virtual relationships?
-Attention
-To escape from reality
-Addiction
-They’re an outcast
What is self disclosure and how does it link to virtual relationships?
Self Disclosure is revealing personal information about yourself. Romantic partners reveal more about themselves as the relationship progresses such as there deepest thoughts and feelings and if done appropriately this can strengthen a bond.
It is crucial in face to face relationships but also plays a part in virtual relationships.
What are the major yet contrasting theories on self disclosure in virtual relationships?
- Reduced Cues Theory
- The Hyperpersonal Model
Who created reduced cues theory and what is the basis of the theory?
Sproull and Kiesler argue that virtual relationships are less effective than those that are face to face because they lack cues which we depend on in face to face interactions which link to emotional state which causes people to SELF DISCOSE LESS.
What are the steps in reduced cues theory?
1 - There is an absence of cues in virtual relationships in comparison to face to face relationships such as tone and facial expressions
2 - This leads to people losing their sense of self and individual identity which often takes place in group and virtual settings (de-individuation)
3 - Therefore people act in ways they wouldn’t normally because anonymity allows them to be more free and impulsive, so they are blunt and aggressive in communication (disinhibition)
4 - Resulting in people being unlikely to share and express thoughts and feelings due to fear of aggressive behaviour
(self disclose less)
What does the hyperpersonal model argue ?
Walther argues that virtual relationships can be more personal and involve GREATER SELF DISCLOSURE than in ‘face to face’ relationships. This is because virtual relationships can develop quickly as self disclosure takes place earlier so once the relationships established it is more intense and intimate than ‘face to face’ relationships.
What are the two features of hyperpersonal self disclosure in virtual relationships ?
1 - Selective self representation
The sender of a message can greater control over what to disclose or the cues to give than in ‘face to face’ relationships. Due to this, people can manipulate their image and think carefully before crafting each response to show the most ideal version of themselves. Therefore, this can cause them to be hyper-honest or hyper-dishonest.
2 - The receiver therefore gains a positive impression of the sender and it may give feedback, such as commenting on a post. This reinforces the sender’s selective self presentation which can manipulate people into self disclosing quickly and more deeply.
What is another factor that promotes online self disclosure and makes virtual relationships hyperpersonal ?
Acording to Bargh et al, anominity promotes online self disclosure because we feel less accountable for our behaviour to strangers as they don’t know our identity, so we disclose more. This is similar to Rubins ‘strangers on the train’ effect in face to face relationships, which states you are more likely to reveal information to a stranger as you’re less likely to see them again.
What is a gate in a relationship?
According to Mckenna and Bargh, a gate is any obstacle to forming a relationship. Face to face relationships are gated and involve features that can intefere with the early development of a relationship or guide it in a certain direction.
Examples of gates include facial disfigurements, physically unattractiveness, a stammer and social anxiety.
What is a key feature of virtual relationships ?
The absence of gates. This could allow relationships to develop to a point where the self disclosure is more frequent and deeper so relationships can get off the ground in a way that is less likely in ‘face to face’ interactions.
How does the absence of gating work?
The attention is refocused on self disclosure and moves away from superficial and distracting features.
What is a benefit of gates being absent ?
The individuals are free to be more like their ‘true selves’ than in ‘face to face’ relationships, which can make it more meaningful and intimate.
What is one drawback of gates being absent ?
People can create untrue identities and deceive people in ways they couldn’t in ‘face to face’ relationships, such as changing age or gender, which is known as catfishing.
What is a strength of virtual relationships ?
P - One advantage is there is reserach to support the idea that virtual relationships can be valuable due to the absence of gating.
E - Mckenna and Bargh looked at online communication of shy, lonely and socially anxious people who were able to express their true selves more than in ‘face to face’ relationships.
E - Of the relationships formed online by shy people, 71% where able to survive at least 2 years. Compared to relationships formed by shy people in ‘face to face’ interactions, where only 49% survived 2 years according to Kirkpatrick and Davis
L - This suggests shy people benefit online due to the absence of gating.
What is a limitation of the reduced cues theory ?
P - One limitation of the reduced cues theory is that non-verbal cues exist online, so they’re just different not absent.
E - Walther and Tidwell say that online interactions involve other cues. For example taking time to reply to someone’s social media story may be more intimate and meaningful than an immediate like, however taking to much time may be rude. So there are nuances in virtual relationships just like in face to face relationships.
Likewise acronyms and emotions are effective as they are substitutes for facial expressions and tone.
L - Therefore the reduced cues theory is limited and doesn’t account for how virtual relationships can be just as personal as ‘face to face’ interactions.
