Absence of gating

• Evaluation - support for absence of gating

  —Mckenna and Bargh examined online communication and logs of shy and lonely - gated people.

  -Individuals were able to express their ‘true self’ online more than face to face.

  -71% of gated individuals relationships which were formed online lasted at least 2 years.

  -Supports gated individuals relationships benefit from SD in virtual media platforms.
• Gates

  -are barriers to forming a relationship.

  -e.g. physically unattractive, socially awkward and have anxiety.

  -These gates can prevent relationships from forming face to face.
• Absence of gating...

  -When talking online these gates are usually absent.

  -There's more emphasis on self-disclosure and less emphasis on physical attractiveness.

  -This allows individuals with gating features to form relationships.