cues are not completely absent from virtual relationships
acronyms e.g LOL, emojis are effective substitutes for face to face non-verbal cues
therefore, this reduces the validity of reduced cues theory
give a strength of absence of gating
research support
mckenna and burgh studied the relationships of shy and sociallyanxious people
71% of romantic relationships formed online survived more than 2 years, compared to only 49% of relationships formed face to face
therefore, this increases its credibility
give a strength of reduced cues theory
researchsupport
ruppel et al. meta-analysis
compared the frequency, breadth and depth of self-disclosure in face to face relationships
they found all3 aspects were greater in face to face relationships
therefore, this increases credibility of this theory
Give a weakness of virtual relationships
Culture bias
Research is based on experiences of mainly western, technologically developed cultures
This technology access is not readily available in some developing countries
Therefore, this means that conclusions about the development and effects of virtual communication on romantic relationships cannot be applied to less economically developed countries
What is reduced cues theory?
Virtual relationships decrease self-disclosure
There's less cues in virtual relationships, this leads to
Deindividuation - reducing a person's sense of individual identity in virtual relationships
Disinhibition - people feel more free from the constraints of social norms leading to blunt and aggressive communication
Therefore, the conversation dies out, self-disclosure ends, reducing the chance of a relationship forming
What is hyperpersonal model?
Self-disclosure happens quicker in virtual relationships, this leads to selectiveself-presentation
Where individuals can be hyperhonest or hyperdisonest as individuals have time to manipulate their responses to present themselves in a better light
Stranger on a train effect - we are more likely to self-disclose with a stranger because we are likely never to see them again
Anonymity promotes self-disclosure
Boom and bust phenomenon - relationships online end quicker as it is difficult to sustain high levels of self-disclosure for a long time
What are cues?
Prompts for how to respond e.g non-verbal communication , body language, tone of voice and facial expression
What does absence of gating state?
Gate - any obstacle to face to face relationships e.g shyness, stammer and facial disfigurement
These gates are absent in virtual relationships, letting those who would struggle to develop a relationship face to face, develop one
The absence of gates also means that people can establish virtual identities they could never create face to face
This could be dangerous e.g an older person can act as a younger person