Virtual relationships in social media

Question 1

what are the “advantages” of more self disclosure

Answer 1

• anonymity
• they don’t know about your friends
• time to think about
• what to say
• less embarrassment
• sexting

Question 2

what are the “disadvantages” of less self disclosure

Answer 2

• more editing
• worry of
• blackmailing/trolling
• catfishing

Question 3

what are the 2 opposing theories?

Answer 3

Reduced Cues Theory by Sproull and Keisler 1986 and The Hyperpersonal Model by Walther 1996

Question 4

CMC =

Answer 4

computer mediated communication

Question 5

who and when made the reduced cues theory

Answer 5

Sproull and Keisler in 1986

Question 6

key points of the Reduced Cues Theory

Answer 6

• appearance or cues to our emotional state are lacking in CMC
• can lead to loss of identity and acting in a way that is not normal to them
• leads to disinhibition
• CMC involves aggressive and blunt communication
• leads to a reluctance in self disclosure

Question 7

Culture - Yum and Hara - 2005

Answer 7

• US ppts reported greater disclosure led to more trust
• Korean ppts reported greater disclosure led to less trust

Question 8

Individual Differences - Peter et al - 2005

Answer 8

• introverts = motivated to communicate online as compensation for their lack of social skills
• extroverts = disclosed more online which helped develop their relationships further too