Virtual relationships in social media

• Self-disclosure in virtual relationships - Reduced cues theory, Sproull + Kiesler

  • CMC relationships are less effective than Ftf - Lack cues that are normally depended on in FtF e.g. Physical appearance
  • CMC - Lack cues in emotional state e.g. facial expressions and tone of voice
  • Leads to de-individuation - Reduced peoples sense of individual identity then encourages disinhibition to others
  • Virtual relationships - Blunt and aggressive communications
  • Unlikely want to initiate a relationship or reveal innermost feelings
• Self-disclosure in virtual relationships - The hyperpersonal model, Walther

  • Argues online relations can be more personal and involve greater self-disclosure than FtF
  • CMC relationships develop more quick with earlier self-disclosure + End more quickly - High excitement not matched with level of trust (Boom and bust phenomenon of online relationships, Cooper + Sportolari)
• Self-disclosure in virtual relationships - The hyperpersonal model, Walther

  Selective self-presentation:

  • Sender has more time to manipulate image than in FtF
  • Promote intimacy - Self-presenting in a positive and idealised way

  Anonymity, Bargh et al:

  • Aware that other people don't know your identity - Less accountable for behaviour
  • Disclose more info to stranger than intimate partner
• Absence of gating in virtual relationships

  • Gate - Obstacle to the formation of a relationship
  • FtF is seen as gated e.g. Physical unattractiveness or social anxiety

  McKenna + Bargh:

  • Advantage of CMC - Absence of gating
  • More frequent and deeper self-disclosure

  Absence of Gating:

  • Refocus attention on self-disclosure + Away from superficial distracting features
  • Free to create online identities that cant be managed in FtF
• Evaluation of virtual relationships in social media - Lack of research support for reduced cues theory

  • Theory wrong to suggest that nonverbal cues are missing from CMC
  • Walther + Tidwell - Online interactions use other cues e.g. timing and style of messages
  • Success of online communication is difficult for the RC theory to explain - Shows that CMC interactions can be personal as FtF and can express emotional states

  Limitation: Lack of research support reduces the external validity of the theory
• Evaluation of virtual relationships in social media - Research support for the hyperpersonal model

  • Whitty + Joinson - Support the HP model predictions that people are motivated to self-disclose in CMC in ways that are sometimes hyperhonest and hyperdishonest
  • Questions in online more direct in comparison to FtF that are around small talk
  • Support that the way we self-disclose in CMC - Present ourselves in exaggeratedly positive light

  Strength: Supports validity of study
• Evaluation of virtual relationships in social media - Support for absence of gating

  • McKenna and Bargh: Looked at CMC used by lonely and socially anxious people

  Findings:

  • Able to express true selves more than in FtF
  • 70% of virtual relations lasted for more than 2 years - High than relationships formed in the real world

  Strength: External support of elements of the theory improves validity as a whole