Virtual Relationships

• The hyper personal model (Walther 1996, 2011) states that self-disclosure takes place earlier in computer aided communication but is harder to maintain online than face to face
• The hyper personal model (Walther 1996, 2011) states that it is easier to manipulate how you are perceived online due to "selective self presentation" as individuals can pick and choose what they reveal about themselves
• The hyper personal model (Walther 1996, 2011) states that selective self presentation > a more positive self image > greater reciprocity > quicker and more intense self disclosure
• Due to reduced social cues (Sproull and Kiesler 1986) such as eye contact online relationships are less effective as social cues are not present to aid communication
• Reduced social cues (Sproull and Kiesler 1986) can cause misinterpretation of communication online
• Reduced social cues (Sproull and Kiesler 1986) results in deindividualtion and disinhibition as individuals feel less as though they are communicating with a real person causing them to feel free to communicate bluntly and with hostility
• Due to anonymity (Burgh 2002) people online feel those around them are less aware of their identity and so feel less accountable for their behaviour causing more self disclosure
• Hyper Personal Model (Walther 1996, 2011) strength; research support from Mckenna and Bargh (2000) showed shy, lonely and anxious people experienced higher self disclosure online with 71% having online relationships lasting over 2 years compared to just 49% of face to face ones
• Reduced cues (Sproull and Kiesler 1986) weakness; Walther and Tidwell (1995) suggest that social cues online may be different rather than completely absent EG emojis can be used to communicate in lieu of social cues
• Hyper Personal model (Walther 1996, 2011) weakness; Ruppel (2017) analysed 25 studies into online relationships and found that experimental studies showed no difference in self disclosure in online and face to face relationships while self report studies found face to face self disclosure was greater than online HOWEVER there are issues with self report measures
• Online relationship studies weakness; Walther (2011) suggests that research into online relationships does not consider multi modal relationships that are carried out both online and offline