virtual relationships in social media

Question 1

what is a virtual relationship?

Answer 1

relationships that are conducted through the internet, rather than face to face

Question 2

what is self-disclosure in virtual relationships?

Answer 2

• ‘broadcasting self-disclosure’ - involves people presenting themselves in an edited way
• people using social networks use different levels of self-disclosure depending on if the information is presented publicly and privately
• people feel secure disclosing intimate and sensitive information in private and with wider audiences

Question 3

what is the hyperpersonal model?

Answer 3

a model which suggests that virtual relationships can be more intense and personal than face-to-face relationships

Question 4

what are the three aspects of the hyperpersonal model?

Answer 4

selective self-presentation, anonymity, and asynchronous communication

Question 5

how does selective self-representation affect virtual relationships?

Answer 5

• people only share their best parts of themselves - this makes them seem better than they really are
• the person receiving this information may imagine them as even better, especially if they have made a good impression

Question 6

how does anonymity affect virtual relationships?

Answer 6

• when people are anonymous, they feel safer sharing personal information, as they won’t be judged
• they don’t worry about secrets getting out to people they know

Question 7

how does asynchronous communication affect virtual relationships?

Answer 7

• people have time to think before they reply
• messages are more thoughtful and careful, so the person appears better

Question 8

what is the reduced cue theory?

Answer 8

• the theory which proposes that the lack of non verbal cues in virtual communication can hinder emotional intimacy and increase the risk of misunderstanding
• this can create a level of deindividuation as they lose their sense of personal identity

Question 9

what is gating?

Answer 9

the barriers that exist in face-to-face communication that can affect how relationships form - like appearances, social status, age, etc

Question 10

how does the absence of gating affect virtual relationships?

Answer 10

• increased self-disclosure - people are more willing to share personal information online as they feel less judged
• reduced social anxiety - people feel less nervous when communicating online, as they don’t have to worry about their body language or appearances

Question 11

a strength of virtual relationships on social media is that there are practical applications:

Answer 11

• this helps online dating sites and counselling services improve virtual interactions
• mckenna and bargh found that lonely and socially anxious people can show their true selves better online than in person
• 70% of online relationships last over two years
• this demonstrates the importance of psychological research

Question 12

a strength of virtual relationships on social media is that it is useful and accessible:

Answer 12

• people with social anxiety, disabilities, etc might find it easier to make friends online
• baker and oswald say that virtual relationships are good for shy people
• social media sites like facebook help shy people overcome the challenges of everyday life

Question 13

a weakness of virtual relationships on social media is that it may have harmful effects:

Answer 13

• for example, cyberbullying and misrepresentation is a big problem online
• the absence of physical presence can also make people more prone to bullying or misrepresenting themselves
• anonymity online can lead to negative behaviours that would not occur in face to face interactions