Virtual Relationships In Social Media: ✅ Flashcards
What is CMC?
Computer mediated communication.
How does self-disclosure operate in CMC relationships?
- Reduced cures theory.
- Hyper-personal model.
Explain the reduced cues theory?
- By sproull and kiesler 1986.
- That CMC relations are less effective due to lacking cues.
- EG = facial expressions + tone of voice.
- lack of cues causes de-individualisation as it reduces people sense of identity. (Don’t trust other person)
- CMC likely to have blunt convo/ reluctance to self-disclose.
Explain the hyper personal model? What can happen?
- Walther argues that CMC relations can be more intermate/more self-disclosure.
- This is bc it become intense quickly. (Boom and bust can happen).
- Selective self-presentation does occur = can manipulate own image. (More control over disclosure).
- Promotes self-disclosure = anonymity (stranger on train effect) feel protected to disclosure more due to 1) not seeing the person 2) can’t report to friends
What is a gate? What is gated? Give example?
Obstacle to the formation of a relationship.
FtF interaction.
Eg. Physical unattractivness, stammer, social anxiety.
Who argues that an advantage of CMC is the absence of gating?
McKenna and Braugh 1999.
What are the effects of absence of gating on a virtual relationship?
- Relationship can develop which would be less likely if it was FtF. (Barriers are removed) this encourages people to give dating a try.
- Refocuses attention onto self-disclosure.
- Free to create their own identities. (Have confidence).
What study supports the absence of gates? Explain?
Mckennna and braugh:
- Looked at CMC by socially anxious and lonely people.
F = people able to express “true self” than FtF.
Relationships that were formed 70% lasted over 2 years.
V
49% of shy people in FtF.
Supports positive impacts of absent gates.
Evaluation points?
Lack of research support for reduced cues theory:
- Maybe different non-verbal cues. Eg. Walther = cues like timing/style are used.
- Emojis + acrousics are used as facial expression substitutes.
Conclusion = Success of CMC makes reduced cues theory difficult to explain bc CMC interactions can be just as personal + possible to express emotion.
Research support for hyper personal model?
HPM = predicts people viturally are motivated to self-disclose. “Hyper honest”
Whitby and Johnson 2009
- Questions asked both virtually and FtF.
F= virtually were more direct and intimate but FtF was more “small-talk”. Supports how CMC relationships self-disclose in a positive light which aids relationship formation.
