Virtual Relationships

• Two major theories in social media relationships

  • reduced cues theory
  • the hyper personal model
• Why are electronic relationships understudied?


  The technology moves at a different pace so therefore can't thoroughly be studied
• Reduced Cues Theory


  Virtual relationships are more likely to involve blunt and even aggressive communication. Without cues, it can lead to individualisation because it reduces peoples sense of individual identity, which therefore encourages disinhibition in relating to others
• The Hyperpersonal model


  A psychologist argues that online relationships can be more personal and involve greater disclosure than face to face. This is bc online can develop more quickly and once established can be more intense and intimate. A key feature of self disclosure is that the sender of a message has more time to manipulate their online image. This is called selective self-presentation
• Absence of Gating 


  The relationship can develop to a point where self disclosure becomes more frequent and deeper. The absence of gating allows an online relationship to 'get off the ground' in a way that is less likely to happen in a ftf situation. Absence of gating works by refocusing attention on self disclosure and away from one might be considered superficial and distracting features