self-disclosure in virtual relationship

• • computer mediated communication (CMC)
  • face to face (FtF)
• more self disclosure in virtual relationship

  • anonymity
  • time to think about what to say
  • less embarrassment
• less self disclosure in virtual relationship

  • worry about blackmail/cat-fishing
• Reduced cue theory

  Sproull and Kiesler suggest virtual relationships lack non-verbal cues, leading to de-individuation, disinhibition, often causing blunt or aggressive communication.
• Hyper-personal model


  • CMC relationships are more personal and have greater self-disclosure than FtF.
  • CMC relationship can develop very quickly as self-disclosure happens earlier so they become more intense and intimate.
• two features of hyper-personal model

  • selective self-presentation allows senders to control disclosures and cues, shaping an idealised image. they may use hyper-honesty to manipulate how they've perceived
  • the receiver's positive feedback reinforces the senders selective self-presentation.
• Gating


  • refers to any obstacles to the formation of a relationship.
  • FtF interaction is said to be gated because it involves many features that can interfere with the early development of a relationship.
  • for example, physical unattractiveness, age, religion and location.
• advantage of gating

  CmC's key advantage is the lack of gating which enables relationships to develop more frequent and deeper self-disclosure, unlike in FtF interactions
• disadvantage of gating

  The absence of gating also means that people are free to create online identities that they could never manage FtF. i.e. a man can pretend to be a women.
• lack of support for reduced cues


  online interactions still have non-verbal cues, like message timing, style and emojis allowing virtual relationships to be just as personal.
• lack of support for the hyper-personal model

  meta analysis by Ruppel et al: found self-disclosure were greater in FtF relationships, contradicting the model's claim of greater intimacy and self disclosure in virtual relationships.
• counterpoint

  whitty and Joinson found that virtual relationships involve more direct or exaggerated self-disclosure, supporting the hyper-personal model and highlighting differences from FtF interactions
• support for absence of gating


  mcKenna and Bargh found shy people express their 'true selves' more online, with 71% of their online relationship lasting for over 2 years, highlighting the benefits or reduced gating.