Virtual Relationships

• What defines a virtual relationship?


  • Any relationship formed through electronic communication
  • Examples: social media channels, online texting
• What are gating factors in relationship formation?


  Gating factors prevent relationships from being formed.
• How do gating factors influence virtual relationships?


  • More frequent in face-to-face relationships
  • Removed in virtual relationships, allowing faster relationship development
  • Removal of gates such as physical attractiveness
• What is reduced cues theory and how does it relate to virtual relationships?


  • Explains the reduction in normal cues used to build relationships
  • Links to deindividuation
  • Individuals become less like themselves and more like their online identity
• According to the hyperpersonal model, how do virtual relationships compare to face-to-face relationships in terms of personal connection?


  Virtual relationships are more personal than face-to-face relationships.
• What were the results of Kirkpatrick and Davis' research on virtual relationships?


  • 71% of virtual relationships survived at least 2 years
  • Compared to 49% of offline relationships
• How does deindividuation affect the development of virtual relationships?


  • Individuals become less self-conscious
  • Online identity becomes more important
  • May lead to more intense interactions
• What are the key characteristics of self-disclosure in virtual relationships?


  • Happens more quickly and more intensely
  • Sender has more control over what is disclosed
  • Aims to create a more positive impression on the receiver
• Why do shy people benefit more from virtual relationships according to Kirkpatrick and Davis?


  They feel less judged and gating is less of an issue.
• How do levels of emotional meaning and trust differ between face-to-face and virtual relationships according to Ruppel et al.


  • Face-to-face relationships have greater levels of emotional meaning and trust
  • Individuals feel more comfortable opening up to each other
  • May be due to knowing who they're speaking to and avoiding accidental disclosure
• How does the absence of nonverbal cues affect communication in virtual relationships?


  • Communication relies heavily on the content and words of the message
  • May hinder the development of emotional bonds
  • Emotional meaning and value are reduced
• What did Ruppel et al. conclude in their meta-analysis of virtual relationships?


  Self-disclosures were greater in face-to-face than virtual relationships.
• What did Sproull and Kiesler's research conclude about virtual relationships?


  • Virtual relationships are less effective than face-to-face relationships
  • Linked to reduced cues theory
• Based on Sproull and Kiesler's findings, in what types of relationships are nonverbal cues more important for building emotional connections?


  Face-to-face relationships