Virtual and Parasocial

• What notable change has occurred in relationships over the last thirty years?

  Development of virtual relationships
• How can virtual relationships begin?

  They can start online via dating sites
• What is a common feature of many relationships today?

  They operate both face-to-face and online
• What is a unique aspect of relationships among online gamers?

  They can exist in a completely virtual world
• What does the Hyperpersonal model suggest about virtual relationships?

  They are more effective due to earlier self-disclosure
• Why is self-disclosure more frequent in virtual relationships according to the Hyperpersonal model?

  More time to manipulate online image
• How does anonymity affect self-disclosure in virtual relationships?

  Anonymity encourages greater self-disclosure
• What does Reduced cues theory state about virtual relationships?

  They are less effective due to lack of cues
• What types of non-verbal cues are lacking in virtual relationships?

  Physical appearance and facial expressions
• What is the consequence of lacking non-verbal cues in virtual relationships?

  Greater de-individuation and disinhibition
• How does de-individuation affect self-disclosure in virtual relationships?

  It encourages less self-disclosure
• What does gating refer to in the context of relationships?

  Obstacles to developing face-to-face relationships
• What are some factors that act as gates in face-to-face relationships?

  Physical appearance, shyness, and social skills
• How does computer-mediated communication (CMC) affect self-disclosure?

  Gates are absent, allowing deeper self-disclosure
• What was the key study conducted by Joinson in 2001 about?

  Self-disclosure in different communication methods
• How were participants paired in Joinson's study?

  In single-sex pairs
• What was discussed by participants in Joinson's study?

  An abstract dilemma
• What aspect of the discussions was rated in Joinson's study?

  Levels of self-disclosure
• What were the raters told about the transcripts in Joinson's study?

  They were not told the conditions
• What type of disclosures were included in the ratings?

  Only unprompted disclosures
• What were the two experiments conducted in Joinson's study?

  • Experiment 1: Half Face-to-face discussion and other half using computer chat
  • Experiment 2: Half used computer chat, half used video
• What was the result of Experiment 1 regarding self-disclosure?

  Computer condition showed more self-disclosure
• How did self-disclosure levels compare in Experiment 2?

  Video pairs had lower self-disclosure
• What was the significant finding about pairs who could see one another in Experiment 2?

  They had lower self-disclosure levels
• A strength if virtual relationships is that there is support for abscence of gating. explain

  • McKenna looked at online communication by shy, lonely and socially anxious people
  • Able to express true selves more than face to face situations
  • Shy people online '71%' survived at least 2 years, 49% in KirkPatrik and Davis study(1994)
• A limitation of virtual relationships is the lack of support for reduces cues. explain

  • Tidwell found that people in online interactions use other cues, such ae style and timing of messages
  • Acronyms, emoticons and emojis can be used as an effective subsitutes for facial expressions and tone of voice