Virtual Relationships

• The term ‘virtual relationships’ encompasses a wide variety of electronic communication methods by which relationships can be formed and maintained.
• What is self-disclosure?

  Self disclosure is the process where we reveal personal information about ourselves to another person.
• What is a gate and how is this applied to virtual relationships?

  A gate is any obstacle that can affect the early development of a relationship (physical attraction, a stammer, social anxiety, etc).

  A key feature of virtual relationships is that most of these gates are absent, meaning that they can develop to a point where self-disclosure becomes more frequent.
• The absence of gating in virtual relationships works by refocusing attention on self-disclosure and away from superficial and distracting features. The individual is freed to become their ‘true selves’.

  However, there is scope for people to create untrue identities and deceive people in ways they could never manage face to face (gender, age, personality, etc).
• What two outcomes can arise from the absence of gating?

  • The hyperpersonal model.
  • Reduced cues theory.
• What is the hyperpersonal model?

  Walther claims that virtual relationships can be more personal and involve greater self-disclosure than face to face relationships. Virtual relationships can happen very quickly as self-disclosure happens earlier and once established they are more intense and intimate.
• How does selective self-presentation play a role in the hyperpersonal model?

  In online relationships, individuals have more control over how they present themselves. They can carefully curate their messages, highlighting positive traits while minimizing negative aspects. This control allows people to craft an idealised version of themselves, making them more comfortable with self-disclosure.
• How does reinforcement play a role in the hyperpersonal model?

  Online interactions often involve positive feedback in the form of likes, comments, or affirmations, which can encourage self-disclosure. When someone shares personal thoughts or feelings and receives supportive responses, they feel validated and are more likely to continue sharing.
• How does anonymity play a role in the hyperpersonal model?

  Anonymity in online interactions reduces the fear of judgment and social consequences, making people more willing to share personal information. Without the pressure of being physically recognized or facing immediate reactions, individuals feel safer expressing their true thoughts, emotions, or even secrets.
• What is reduced cues theory?

  Virtual relationships involve LESS self-disclosure than face to face relationships due to the absence of important nonverbal cues linked to physical appearance such as facial expressions.

  Sproull & Keisler argued that as a result of reduced cues, people develop a reduced sense of individual identity which ultimately leads to deindividuation. It is suggested that the experience of deindividuation then leads to disinhibition when relating to others.
• Reduced Cues Theory:

  Virtual relationships were found to involve more blunt and aggressive communication in comparison to face to face relationships. This led to a reluctance in self-disclosure since people felt less comfortable disclosing personal information to someone who is impersonal and therefore felt less inclined to initiate an intimate relationship.