Virtual Relationships in Social Media

    Subdecks (1)

    Cards (29)

    • Virtual Relationships:
      • Romantic or platonic relationships that develop through computer-mediated communication (CMC), including social media, messaging apps, and online dating.
    • Self-Disclosure:
      • The process of revealing personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences to another person, which fosters intimacy and trust.
    • Gating:
      • Any obstacle or barrier (e.g., physical appearance, social anxiety) that might prevent relationship development in face-to-face (FtF) interactions.
    • Absence of Gating:

      • In virtual communication, these barriers are removed, allowing individuals to connect based on inner qualities rather than superficial traits.
    • How Self-Disclosure Works Online vs. Face-to-Face:
      • Self-disclosure occurs in both face-to-face and online relationships, but its nature differs in virtual settings:
      • In face-to-face interactions, self-disclosure is gradual and depends on trust.
    • How Self-Disclosure Works Online vs. Face-to-Face:
      In virtual relationships, self-disclosure tends to be quicker, deeper, and more frequent, due to:
      • Anonymity: People feel less fear of judgment
      • Lack of Social Cues: The absence of body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions reduces social pressure.
      • More Control Over Disclosure: Unlike face-to-face communication, CMC allows individuals to edit responses, leading to carefully managed self-presentation.
      • Reduced Risk of Rejection: Disclosing personal details online feels safer as it removes the immediate risk of negative reactions.
    • How Self-Disclosure Works Online vs. Face-to-Face:
      Supporting Study:
      • Joinson (2001):
      • Found that self-disclosure was higher in online communication compared to face-to-face interactions.
      • Suggests that anonymity and lack of non-verbal cues encourage more open communication.
    • Hyperpersonal Model (Walther, 1996)

      • Argues that online relationships can become more intense than face-to-face ones due to greater self-disclosure.
      • Key factors include:
      • Selective Self-Presentation: Individuals carefully choose how they present themselves online.
      • Idealized Perceptions: People create positive images of online partners, leading to intense emotional connections.
      • Asynchronous Communication: Online interactions do not require an immediate response, allowing individuals to plan and edit their messages.
    • Hyperpersonal Model (Walther, 1996):
      Supporting Study:
      • Whitty & Joinson (2009):
      • Found that online conversations often included more direct, probing, and intimate questions than face-to-face conversations.
      • Suggests that people self-disclose more openly online, leading to quicker relationship development.
    • Reduced Cues Theory (Sproull & Kiesler, 1986):

      • Argues that virtual relationships are less personal than face-to-face ones due to:
      • Lack of non-verbal cues (e.g., facial expressions, body language).
      • Greater potential for misinterpretation of tone and intent.
      • More impersonal and detached interactions.
      • Suggests that self-disclosure may not always lead to deep relationships but could instead make interactions more superficial.
    • Reduced Cues Theory (Sproull & Kiesler, 1986):
      Contradictory Study:
      • Sproull & Kiesler (1986):
      • Found that online communication was more blunt and impersonal than face-to-face interactions.
      • Suggests that lack of social cues can hinder relationship development rather than enhance it.
    • Gating in Face-to-Face Relationships:
      In real-world relationships, gating factors can prevent social interaction and relationship formation, such as:
      • Physical appearance (e.g., attractiveness, disability).
      • Shyness or social anxiety, which makes approaching others difficult.
      • Speech difficulties (e.g., stuttering).
      • Cultural or social status differences.
      • Geographical distance, which limits face-to-face interaction.
    • Absence of Gating in Virtual Relationships:
      In virtual relationships, these gates are removed, allowing people to interact based on personality and shared interests rather than superficial factors.
      • People who struggle with face-to-face interaction (e.g., introverts, socially anxious individuals) can form relationships more easily online.
      • This can lead to deeper connections, as relationships are not based on first impressions or external appearance.
    • Absence of Gating in Virtual Relationships:
      Supporting Study:
      • McKenna & Bargh (1999):
      • Found that online relationships developed faster and were often more intimate than face-to-face ones.
      • Suggests that the absence of gating helps people connect more meaningfully.
    • Consequences of the Absence of Gating:
      Positive Outcomes:
      • More meaningful relationships: Connections are based on personality rather than appearance.
      • Increased confidence: Socially anxious people find it easier to interact online.
      • More successful relationships: People form deeper emotional bonds without physical judgments.
    • Consequences of the Absence of Gating:
      Negative Outcomes:
      • Catfishing: Without verification, some people misrepresent themselves online.
      • Deception: People can fake identities, leading to misleading relationships.
      • Unrealistic Expectations: Idealized online personas can disappoint when meeting in real life.
      • Yurchisin et al. (2005):
      • Found that people often exaggerate or alter personal details on dating profiles.
      • Suggests that deception is common in virtual relationships, reducing trust.
    • Key Ideas:The Hyperpersonal Model

      Boom and Bust Effect:
      • Relationships formed online often develop quickly due to high self-disclosure ("boom").
      • However, once individuals meet in real life, the idealized perceptions may not match reality, leading to breakdowns in the relationship ("bust").
    • Key Ideas:The Hyperpersonal Model

      Hyperpersonal Communication is Strategic:
      • Users tailor their responses more thoughtfully, leading to deeper and more meaningful interactions.
      • The asynchronous nature of CMC (not happening in real-time) allows users to construct more perfected responses compared to real-time conversations.
    • Walther’s Study on Virtual Relationships:
      • Walther (1996) aimed to investigate how computer-mediated communication (CMC) influences relationship formation compared to face-to-face interactions.
      Method:
      • He examined online relationships by analyzing how people communicated and disclosed personal information through email, chat rooms, and social media.
      • Compared interactions in CMC with face-to-face relationships.
      • Focused on aspects like self-disclosure, intimacy, and relationship development speed.
    • Walther’s Study on Virtual Relationships:
      Findings
      Greater Self-Disclosure:
      • Participants in online relationships disclosed more personal and intimate information than those in FtF interactions.
      • This was because of selective self-presentation and the absence of immediate social pressures.
      Hyperpersonal Communication:
      • Online interactions led to quicker emotional connections and stronger perceived intimacy than FtF interactions.
      • However, these relationships were also more fragile due to the idealized nature of self-presentation.
    • Walther’s Study on Virtual Relationships:
      Findings:
      Lack of Non-Verbal Cues Increased Focus on Written Expression:
      • Participants compensated for the lack of body language and tone of voice by carefully crafting their words.
      • This led to deeper, more meaningful conversations in some cases.
      Boom and Bust Effect:
      • While relationships developed quickly online, they often collapsed once people met in person.
      • This was because expectations based on idealized self-presentation did not always match reality.