Virtual Relationships In Social Media Flashcards
What has the increasing use of social media led to?
Research on differences between the relationships formed and maintained online and those formed and maintained face-to-face
When is self-disclosure crucial and what have psychologists done because of this
In FtF real so psychologists have turned their attention to its role and nurture in virtual relationships
What are virtual relationships also known as
CMC - computer-mediated communication
What may reduced cues lead to in CMC
Less self-disclosure
What does the reduced cues theory suggest
That CMC relationships I less affective due to the lack of non-verbal cues - in FtF we rely on these cues
What does lack of cues about emotional state lead to
(E.g. Voice, facial expressions) de-individuation
What leads to blunt, aggressive communication and reluctance to self-disclose
People feeling more free from the constraints of social norms (disinhibition)
What may CMC relationships involve more
Self-disclosure
What did Walter suggest
Hyperpersonal model
What does the hyperpersonal model suggest
That early self-disclosure means that CMC relationships develop more quickly and can become intense and intimate
What else could occur in a CMC relationship
Could end more quickly because of height excitement level but low levels of trust
Why does self-disclosure differ in CMC
Because online image can be maipulated
What can the sender of a message do
Be selective about what and how they present themselves when self-disclosing
What else leads to CMC making people self-disclose more
Feeling of anonymity, makes people feel less accountable for their behaviour
What did McKenna do Bargh argue
Facial disfigurements or a stammer may be iostaclesmto a FtF relationship
What are not present in an online relationship
‘gates’
When do gates become less of an issue
Once self-disclosure becomes deeper
What does absence of gates have?
Benefits
What does having no obstacles of FtF communication lead to
People are free to create different online identities de overcome various boundaries e.g. A shy person can become more extravert online and their personality is no longer an obstacle
What is there also a possibility of occurring through CMC
There is also scope for untrue personas
Name a strength of virtual relationships
Support for absence of gating - McKenna and Bargh
What did McKenna and Bargh find
Lonely and socially anxious people were able to express their true selves more in CMC than in FtF situations
What statistics did McKenna and Bargh find
70% of relationships that initially formed online survived more than two years a higher than for relationships formed in the offline world
Why does McKenna and Bargh’s research act as support
Suggests that CMC can be helpful to support people who star socially anxious to build confidence in forming relationships
