Virtual Relationships in Social Media- Effects of the Absence of Gating in Virtual Relationships Flashcards
What is meant by the absence of gating online?
- Stuttering
- Twitches
- Might be interrupted often
- Might have a lower level of attractiveness
- Might remain silent or be hard to talk to
- May not be sexually satisfying
How can the absence of gates affect relationships?
- When people go on a date the examples of gating might ‘block off’ unattractive people from progressing further with their date
- In virtual relationships these gates don’t initially exist to the same extent as physical relationships
If the point is:
A weakness of the absence of gating in virtual relationships is that research hasn’t established if any age or sex differences exist with regards to the absence of gating factors, something the evolutionary theory would predict.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- This is an issue as many use the internet and some theories of relationships imply that men and women seek different qualities in partners.
Explanation- Is the internet better used by men seeking younger and attractive females, or used better by women seeking indicators of resources and wealth in male partners? Can women conclude more about mens deficiencies online as they make more investment?
Link- Hence, without investigating potential differences between the genders and sexual orientations, this area of relationships could be classified as beta biased.
If the point is:
A strength of the absence of gating in virtual relationships is that it suggests that the filter theory doesn’t apply as much in these partnerships.
What is the explanation, evidence and link?
Explanation- Given that virtual relationships broaden the scope of our potential mates, it also allows us to dismiss factors that could, in real world relationships, have caused us to end the relationship, such as issues with proximity.
Evidence- For example, the barriers created by long distance relationships are less of an issue with technological advances, such as video calling.
Link- Therefore, perhaps virtual relationships are truly changing the way modern relationships are formed and maintained.
If the point is:
A strength of the absence of gating in virtual relationships is that there is research to support it.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Bargh et al found that intimacy developed quicker in virtual relationships compared to physical relationships because of a lack of gating features.
Link- This research suggests that intimacy develops quicker in virtual relationships because there are less barriers.
If the point is:
A weakness of the absence of gating in virtual relationships is that gates are not entirely missing from virtual relationships, they are just different rather than absent.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Other cues, such as the style and timing of the message can act as gates. For example, taking the time to reply to an online message is interpreted as more of an intimate act rather than an immediate response. But not too long, with a short reply, otherwise that might be seen as a snub. Acrostics such as LOL, emoticons and emojis are used as effective substitutes for facial expressions, tone of voice, portraying dislike.
Link- These aspects can often replace more traditional gates and can make or break relationships. Hence, research into absence of gating has been too narrow in its focus.
What are the evaluation points for the absence of gating in virtual relationships?
— Research has not yet established if any age or sex differences exist with regards to the absence of gating factors, something the evolutionary theory would predict
+ Suggests that the filter theory doesn’t apply as much in these relationships
+ Research to support
— Gates are not entirely missing from virtual relationships, they are just different rather than absent
