Virtual Relationships Conent Flashcards
How is self-disclosure different online compared to face to face?
. Online relationships have a sense of anonymity so you almost de-individuate, allowing you to self disclose quicker as you can present yourself in the way you want to be presented
Why don’t online relationships usually last?
Self-disclosure often follows the boom and bust phenomenon online, where disclosure becomes too intense too quickly, creating a high expectation for intimacy that cannot be fulfilled throughout the online experience
What is the idea of selective self-presentation in virtual relationships?
You can manipulate your image online to put yourself in a good light and become more appealing to your field of avialables
Why is self-disclosure online less ‘risky’ than self-disclosure face to face?
Self-disclosure is withheld face to face until an individual feels confident that their disclosure remains confidential and doesn’t get leaked to friends etc. this is mainly out of a fear of ridicule and/or rejection
Online however, the sense of anonymity allows people to share their inner thoughts and self disclose more openly as they don’t feel this potential ridicule from the other person, particularly as online relationships are often with people we won’t see again who aren’t in your social circle.
Why do many online relationships remain online?
The sense of anonymity online allows someone to present themselves as someone they’re not and feel free to self-disclose without a fear of rejection.
- if this relationship was brought face to face, the other individual would often realise the individual is not who they seem (catfishing)
What is reduced cues theory in virtual relationships?
. Face to face interactions involve non-verbal cues such as physical appearance that act as a factor to whether to date
. Virtual relationships involve extreme levels of self-disclosure
. There is a sense of de-individuation online that can cause disinhibition to others
Overall, virtual relationships lack the cues we usually receive face to face
What is the strangers on a train phenomenon and how does it apply to virtual relationships?
When people are aware that others don’t know your identity, you feel less accountable for your behaviour and don’t fear the confidentiality of your self-disclosure will be released
- this means that people self-disclose more to strangers, which is often the case in virtual relationships
How did Walther research how self-disclosure affects the development of virtual relationships?
He created the hyper personal model, predicting that people are often ‘hyper-honest’ or ‘hyper-dishonest’ in their self-disclosures, allowing the relationship to become intimidate very early and quickly as extreme levels of self-disclosure are being used. However, this often dies down in the boom and bust phenomenon
What is a gate in a virtual relationship?
Something that could act as a barrier from a relationship starting e.g lack of confidence, physical unattractiveness
Virtual relationships have an absence of gating
