Reduced Cues Theor

• What does the Reduced Cues Theory suggest?

  we are less likely to self disclose in virtual relationships
• What do Sproull and Keisler think?

  CMC relationships are less effective than FtF ones because they lack many of the cues we normally depend upon when interacting
• What do CMCs lack?


  vital cues to our emotional state eg facial expressions, tone of voice
• What does the lack of nonverbal cues, and other cues in CMC relationships lead to?

  Deindividuation because it reduces people's sense of individual identity , which in turn encourages disinhibition when relating to others
• What does the disinhibition caused by deindividuation mean?


  CMC relationships therefore more likely to involve blunt and even aggression communication, which in turn decreases likelihood of self-disclosing online

  • (unlikely to initiate relationship with someone who could easily turn on you due to impersonal nature of communication)