3.5: Virtual relationships in social media

Question 1

Outline two ethical issues researchers would need to consider when conducting research into virtual relationships (4 marks)

Answer 1

One ethical issue to consider when conducting research into virtual relationships is informed consent.
Participants should be given sufficient information about
the aims and procedures of the study so that they can make a considered decision as to whether to take part

Question 2

Outline two ethical issues researchers would need to consider when conducting research into virtual relationships (4 marks).
One ethical issue to consider when conducting research into virtual relationships is informed consent.
Participants should be given sufficient information about
the aims and procedures of the study so that they can make a considered decision as to whether to take part.

Another ethical issue to consider when conducting research into virtual relationships

Answer 2

Another ethical issue to consider when conducting research into virtual relationships is psychological harm.
For example, questions should not be asked about participants’ involvement in virtual relationships that cause them distress or embarrassment

Question 3

Maria has lots of friends on Facebook and spends most of her time in her bedroom chatting on internet sites.

Explain how Maria’s self-disclosure during her use of social media might differ from her self-disclosure in face-to-face encounters (4 marks)

Answer 3

Maria’s self-disclosure will be less inhibited than in face-to-face interaction, because she may disclose more personal information to people who are strangers, for example where she lives

Question 4

Maria has lots of friends on Facebook and spends most of her time in her bedroom chatting on internet sites.

Explain how Maria’s self-disclosure during her use of social media might differ from her self-disclosure in face-to-face encounters (4 marks).
Maria’s self-disclosure will be less inhibited than in face-to-face interaction, because she may disclose more personal information to people who are strangers, for example where she lives.

Answer 4

She may disclose information sooner in the relationship than she would normally and she will not employ the normal distancing with which face to face interactions are regulated

Question 5

Maria has lots of friends on Facebook and spends most of her time in her bedroom chatting on internet sites.

Explain how Maria’s self-disclosure during her use of social media might differ from her self-disclosure in face-to-face encounters (4 marks).
Maria’s self-disclosure will be less inhibited than in face-to-face interaction, because she may disclose more personal information to people who are strangers, for example where she lives.
She may disclose information sooner in the relationship than she would normally and she will not employ the normal distancing with which face to face interactions are regulated.

Answer 5

She will also not apply the usual gating mechanisms that apply to face-to-face encounters