Virtual Relationships In Social Media

Question 1

Outline- self disclosure online

Answer 1

Reduced Cues Theory- sproll and walther (1986)

• CMC relationships are less effective than FtF relationships because they lack a lot of the cues we depend on in FtF relationships such as:
• expressions
• tone of voice

This leads to de-individuation because people lack individual identity which then encourages disinhibition.

Question 2

Outline- the hyperpersonal Model

Answer 2

Walther (1996,2011)

• argues online relationships can be more personal then FtF ones as we self-disclose more.
• this happens because CMC relationships can happen very quickly as self-disclosure happens earlier
• the model also states that online you can manipulate your image as you can think of responses longer (called SELECTIVE SELF-REPRESENTATION)
• you’re also more anonymous as the people online doesn’t know you properly so you can’t feel accountable for whatever you say so you’re happy to disclose more.

Question 3

Evaluation- Absence of gating

Answer 3

Gating- things that may be unattractive such as little things that you do or small looks etc that can affect development of a relationship.
- when there’s an absence online relationships are more able to develop.

Question 4

Evaluation- Tidwell

Answer 4

Limitation of reduced cues
- she pointed out that people in online relationships use other cues such as style of message, timing, kisses, emojis etc.
So- reduced cues may not be reduced

Question 5

Evaluation- whitty and Joinson (2009)

Answer 5

Support for hyper personal model and high self-disclosure

• found that questions online tend to be very direct, probing and intimate.
• this is different to FtF small talk.