Virtual relationships

• What are virtual relationships like?

  • Characterised by the loss of non-verbal communication meaning interactions are dependent upon words and nothing else
  • This is critical when we consider self-disclosure, for which there are 2 major and contrasting theories that explain how self-disclosure operates in virtual relationships
• What is the reduced cues theory?

  • Sproull and Keisler (1986) argue that virtual relationships are less effective than face-to-face ones due to the lack of many non-verbal cues we usually depend on in FtF interactions, like facial expressions, tone of voice, etc.
  • Reduces a person's sense of individual identity (de-individuation) leading to disinhibition in relating to others
  • Communication can come off as blunt and aggressive which will result in a reluctance to form meaningful relationships with people who seem so impersonal
• What is the hyper-personal model? (1)

  • Walther (2011) argued virtual relationships can be more personal and involve greater self-disclosure than FtF ones, as they develop quickly and become more intense and intimate due to earlier self-disclosure

  1. Selective self-presentation as sender of a message has greater control over what to disclose and the cues they send, manipulating their self-image to present themselves in an idealised way. Can be either hyper-honest or hyper-dishonest
  2. Receiver gains a positive impression of the sender and may give feedback that reinforces the sender's self-presentation
• What is the hyper-personal model? (2)

  • Another factor that promotes online self-disclosure is anonymity
  • Bargh et al. (2002) proposed the strangers on a train effect that can also be seen in FtF relationships; we disclose more about ourselves to strangers because we feel less accountable and detached from our actions when we are not associated with an identity
• What is the effect of the absence of gating in virtual relationships?

  • Gates are any obstacles to forming a relationship. FtF interaction is said to be gated as it involves many features that can interfere with the early development of a relationship e.g. physical unattractiveness, social anxiety, etc.
  • Absence of gating in virtual relationships refocuses attention on self-disclosure and away from superficial and distracting features, allowed intimacy and closeness to develop
  • When gates are revealed they don't matter as much because self-disclosure has already happened
• What is one strength of theories about virtual relationships?

  • Research support for absence of gating: shy, lonely, and socially anxious people find virtual relationships more valuable
  • McKenna and Bargh (2000) looked at online communication by shy people and found they were able to express they 'true selves' more than in FtF situations
  • 71% of romantic relationships formed online by shy people survived at least 2 years, compared to Kirkpatrick and Davis in 1994 finding that only 49% survived 2 years when formed FtF
  • Suggests shy people benefit online presumably because the gating that obstructs FtF relationships is absent online
• What is another strength of theories about virtual relationships?

  • Research support for selective self-presentation: there is evidence that virtual and FtF relationships differ in the type of self-disclosure used
  • Whitty and Joinson (2009) summarised evidence showing that questions asked in online discussions tend to be very direct, intimate, and probing (hyper-honest) which is different from the 'small-talk' of FtF conversations
  • It can also be hyper-dishonest such as when people invent attractive personal qualities for online dating profiles
  • Supports model's claims about different self-disclosures
• What is one limitation of theories about virtual relationships?

  • Contrasting evidence: online non-verbal cues are not absent but just different
  • Walther and Tidwell (1995) point out that other cues are used online such as style and timing of messages e.g. taking time to reply to an update may be more of an intimate act than responding immediately. Acronyms, emojis, and GIFs can all be used as subtle substitutes for facial expressions and tone of voice, showing there are nuances in virtual relationships that are just as subtle as those in FtF
  • Limits the reduced cues theory as it fails to take these into account
• What is another limitation of theories about virtual relationships?

  • Lack of support: Ruppel et al. (2017) conducted a meta-analysis of 25 studies comparing self-disclosure in FtF and virtual interactions
  • Found that the frequency, breadth, and depth of self-disclosures were all greater in FtF relationships and some experimental studies showed no significant differences between FtF and virtual relationships in terms of SD
  • Contradicts the hyper-personal model's view that the greater intimacy of virtual relationships should lead to more self-disclosure than FtF