Relationships: Virtual Relationships in Social Media Flashcards
What is meant by absence of gating?
Lack of obstacles to face to face communication
Provide example of gate that can limit face to face interactions
Stutter
Stammer
Physical appearance
In terms of gating, why are virtual relationships better?
There is an absence of gating so it is easier to communicate
If there is an absence of gating why does this help relationships develop?
Easier to communicate
Reach self disclosure quicker
People can be more open
If there is an absence of gating why does this make relationships development more difficult?
May not be able to main online image in real life e.g. pretending to be extrovert when an introvert
People may be dishonest
How can the hyper-personal model increase self disclosure
High levels of excitement so disclose quicker
What is selective self presentation?
we have control over our online image so we can choose how we want to present ourselves
How can anonymity impact the hyper-personal model
More likely to disclose
Less accountable
People unaware of your identify
How does reduced cue theory argue that self disclosure is reduced.
Lack of conversation cues e.g. facial expression
Can make conversation less open
In terms of reduced cue theory, explain the role of deindividuation and disinhibition.
Deindividuation is where we lose our sense of identity and lead to disinhibition so there are no limits on behaviour so people become more blunt
Deindividuation occurs because the whole process of virtual relationships is impersonal.
How does McKenna and Barge (2000) support absence of gating
People who were shy, lonely and socially anxious were more able to show true self virtually
7!% of virtual relationships started online by shy people lasted more than 2 years
What is a limitation of the methods used to study virtual relationships?
Based on self report
Subjective
Open to bias
How does research by Walther and Tidwell contradict reduced cue theory?
People online use other non-face-to-face cues such as timing of messages or how the message is written
Therefore there may not be reduced cues, just different cues in virtual relationships.
