reduced cues theory

• less non verbal cues--> less self disclosure-->relationships less likely to form
• • argues CMC relationships are less successful than FTF as they lack emotional cues
  • therefore we are less aware of peoples emotional states
• • cmc can also lead to deindividuation
  • this is where we don't see the person as an individual so our behaviour is less inhibited
  • therefore we are more likely to be blunt and aggressive and less likely to form intimate relationships
• evidence to support the disinhibition of behaviour comes from pew research centre, of woman online daters 18-34, 57% said they'd received sexually explicit messages/images they hadn't asked for
• a03 contradictory?


  • criticism: Tamir and mitchell found self disclosure online may not be as low as the theory suggested
  • they found MRI activity in two brain regions that are associated with reward, these were greater and strongly activated when talking about themselves so P's experienced greater sensation of pleasure talking about themselves than keeping thoughts private
  • this suggests self disclosure is rewarding and therefore it is human tendency to share personal experiences online with others
• a03 criticism?


  • theory is wrong to argue n-v cues are entirely missing from CMC, they are just different
  • researchers argue people use other cues such as timing and style of message
  • too much time before replying may be nsub whereas too little may seem eager, people also use acrostics like LOL
  • therefore the theory ignores the importance of such N-V cues in communication
• general a03?


  • criticism: address CMC as a single construct, many argue self-disclosure depends on the type of CMC
  • on apps like facebook people typically have outside relationships and will therefore disclose more but on dating sites self disclosure is reduced as both anticipate future meetings
  • but this expectation doesn't exist on gaming chats where people are less inhibited so will SD more
  • therefore researchers argue any theory that sees cmc as a single construct cannot be a valid explanation
• general a03?


  • criticism: hasnt considered difference between male and females
  • evolutionary theory would state females would be concerned with making themselves look attractive and youthful whereas males might want to appear like they have more resources
  • this would suggest there is a beta gender bias in this area of research because neither theory suggests that there are gender differences between CMC
  • therefore this theory is not valid/accurate