Virtual Relationships in social media Flashcards
How does self disclosure operate in virtual relationships?
- Reduced cues theory
- The hyperpersonal model
What is reduced cues theory?
Sproull and Kiesler suggest virtual relationships are a lot less effective then FtF ones as they lack cues such as, emotional, facial and tone of voice. Reduces a persons sense of identity (de-individuation) which leads to disinhibition. People are less likely to express true thoughts when it is so impersonal
What is the hyperpersonal model?
Walther argues virtual relationships can be more personal and have more self-disclosure as it may develop earlier.
1. The sender of the message has greater control over what to disclose and what cues they send. Selective self-presentation they manipulate their self-image making them present in an idealised way.
2. The receive gains a positive impression of the sender reinforcing the senders selective self-presentation.
What is another factor which promotes self-disclosure virtually?
Bargh et al- Anonymity, you feel less accountable for your behaviour you may disclose more to your partner.
What is a gate?
Mckenna and Bargh- a gate is any obstacle to forming a relationship. If FtF interaction is gated, in that many features interfere the early development of the relationship. E.g. physical unattractiveness, a stammer
What are the benefits and drawbacks of a gate?
Benefits: Online gates are absent, individual free to be their true self
Drawback: Scope to create untrue identities, a person ca change age or gender can create “second side”
What is the brief AO3 for virtual?
- Lack of support for reduced cues
- Lack of support for the hyperpersonal model BUT some evidence that FtF and virtual relationships do differ in types of self-disclosures
- Support for absence of gating
What are strengths of virtual relationships?
Support for absence of gating, McKenna and Bargh (2000) looked at online communication by shy, lonely and socially anxious people. They found that these people were able to express their true selves more than in FtF situations. Of romantic relationships formed by shy people online, 71% survived at least two years compared to 49% of offline world. This suggests shy people do benefit online presumably because the gating that obstructs FtF relationships is absent online.
What are weaknesses of virtual relationships?
Walther and Tidwell point out people online use other cues such as style and timing of messages, taking time more be more intimate then an immediate response, too much time could be interpreted as a snub. Acronyms can be used as substitutes for facial expressions and tone of voice. Hard for reduced cues theory to explain as it can be just as personal as FtF ones.
Hyperpersonal model is challenged by findings of metanalysis, Ruppel et al carried out meta-analysis of 25 studies compared self-disclosures in FtF and virtual interactions. Frequency, breadth and depth of self disclosures was greater in FtF relations. Contradicts model that greater an more intimate in virtual relationships.
BUT, Whitty and Joinson summarise evidence showing how self-presentation is manipulated in virtual relationships questions being intimate and direct. This is different from small talk but they can also be hyperdishonest. Hyperhonest and hyperdishonest support difference between FtF and virtual.
