virtual relationships Flashcards
What are the theories of self disclosure in virtual relationships?
Reduced cues theory
Hyperpersonal model
Reduced cues theory - why are CMC relationships less effective?
CMC relationships less effective because they lack cues - nonverbal such as appearance, emotional like tone of voice
Who devised the reduced cues theory?
Sproull and Kiesler
Reduced cues - what do reduced cues result in?
Leads to de-individuation - reduces sense of identity
This encourages disinhibition in relating to others
Relationships more likely to involve blunt aggressive communication
Reluctance to self disclose - unlikely to form relationship with someone impersonal
Who devised the hyperpersonal model?
Walther
Hyperpersonal model - why are online relationships more personal?
Involve greater self disclosure - happens earlier, relationships develop quicker
More intense and intimate
Hyperpersonal - What is the boom and bust phenomenon of online relationships?
End quicker
High excitement not matched by level of trust
Hyperpersonal - what is selective self presentation?
Sender of message has time to manipulate online image
More control over cues they send
Easier to manipulate self disclosure
Hyperpersonal - how do CMC relationships imitate the strangers on the train effect?
Anonymity makes relationships hyperpersonal
Less accountable for behaviour when people don’t know your identity
Disclose more to strangers
What is a gate?
Any obstacle to relationship formation
Physical unattractiveness, social anxiety etc
How does absence of gating affect online relationships?
Can develop to a point where self disclosure becomes deeper
Allows relationship to get off ground quicker
How does absence of gating work?
Refocuses attention on self disclosure, away from distracting features
Free to create online identities different from real life
Evaluation - lack of research support for reduced cues theory
Walther and Tidwell - other cues like style and timing of messages
Emojis used as substitutes for facial expression
Evaluation - research support for hyperpersonal model
Whitty and Joinson - online questions very direct and intimate
Different to small talk in real life
Responses are more direct
Hyper honesty
Evaluation - types of CMC
Disclose more in messages than other sites such as forums
Self disclosure reduced in online dating because FTF meetings are assumed
