virtual relationships

Cards (20)

  • There are two opposing theories for Virtual Relationships:
    Reduced cues theory - Sproull and Kiesler ( 1986 )
    The Hyper personal model - Walther ( 1996 )
  • The Reduced Cues theory ( Sproull and Kiesler 1988 ) suggests that self disclosure is lower in virtual relationships
  • The Hyperpersonal model ( Walther 1996 ) suggests that self disclosure is higher in virtual relationships
  • The Hyperpersonal model ( Walther 1996 ) claims that self disclosure happens earlier in virtual relationships, causing them to feel more intense and intimate quickly
  • The Hyperpersonal model ( Walther 1996 ) claims that we have more time to control and manipulate our image online, so an online partner might disclose more personal information
  • The Hyperpersonal model ( Walther 1996 ) The strangers on the train effect ( Bargh 2002 ) says if others do not know your identity, you could be less accountable for your behaviour as we may not see them again. This can mean that in online relationship, since there is no accountability, you self disclose more
  • The Hyperpersonal model ( Walther 1996 ) Virtual relationships end faster as underlying trust and knowledge of the person is lacking
  • The Reduced Cues theory ( Sproull and Kiesler 1986 ) claims that virtual relationships are less open and honest than face to face because in real life we rely on subtle cues like body language, but they are absent online
  • The Reduced Cues theory ( Sproull and Kiesler 1986 ) claims that absence of communication cues can lead to people showing behaviours they usually refrain from such as aggression. This makes online communication more aggressive and blunt, meaning we self disclose less.
  • The Reduced Cues theory ( Sproull and Kiesler 1986 ) claims that we self disclose less online as interactions are aggressive and we fear becoming victims of aggression or we do not want to reveal intimate information to someone impersonal
  • The Reduced Cues theory ( Sproull and Kiesler 1986 ) claims that less social cues like body language and physical appearance can cause " de-individuation ", making people more aggressive and this leads to reluctance to self disclose.
  • A " gate " is a feature / obstacle that could interfere with the development of a face to face relationship
  • Virtual relationships don't have some of the gates existing in real life relationship. Even if they are discovered later, they are less likely to have an effect on the relationship due to the feeling of intimacy brought by more open self disclosure
  • Examples of gates in real life relationships:
    attractiveness
    physical disability
    stammer
    shyness
    age
    These are all things you can hide online
  • Gates can remain hidden in virtual relationships, allowing the self disclosure and intimacy to develop. The gate may be revealed later but it matters less because of self disclosure
  • Yurchisin et al ( 2005 ) interviewed 11 online daters and found that they gave accounts of both their real and better selves in dating profiles as a way of attracting potential partners. They would sometimes even steal other peoples images in order to make themselves more popular. However, most online identities were still close to the persons true identity in order to avoid unpleasant surprises in real life meetings
  • Virtual relationships AO3. Virtual Relationship research is may lack temporal validity. 
    Most relevant research was conducted in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Technology has advanced rapidly, so the nature of online relationships has also changed. This means that psychological research in this area risks becoming outdated
    This lowers the validity of research into online relationships. 
  • Virtual relationships AO3. There is research support for the Hyperpersonal Model.
    Whitty and Joinson ( 2009 ) research demonstrates the effect of virtual environment on self disclosure. In online discussion forums, questions and answers tend to be more direct, probing and intimate than face to face interactions.
    This shows evidence that we self-disclose and present ourselves in a positive light online, more than face to face. 
  • Virtual Relationships AO3. There are nonverbal queues in online relationships. 
    Walther and Tidwell ( 1995 ) argue that three are subtle cues in virtual relationships such as time taken to respond, or emojis. They believe non verbal cues aren't completely absent, they are just different.  
    This casts doubt on the reduced cues theory. 
    However we may misinterpret social cues online more so than face to face.
  • Virtual Relationships AO3. There is research support for the absence of Gating theory. 
    McKenna + Bargh ( 2000 ) looked at virtual relationship use by lonely, socially anxious people. It was found that they were able to self disclose more, and 70 % of the relationships lasted for over 2 years. 
    This shows the power of online communications to overcome obstacles existing face to face.