4 - Virtual Relationships In Social Media Flashcards
(27 cards)
Define virtual relationships
Relationships that take place electronically/online, where the partners never meet face to face
What type of language do virtual relationships lack?
Paralanguage
Define paralanguage
Added extras to the way in which you speak (tone, body language, etc)
Define self-disclosure
The process of revealing personal info in a relationship, that causes the relationship to become intimate and progress
What are the two theories about virtual relationships?
- Reduced cues theory
- Hyper-personal model
What is the Reduced Cues Theory?
- Virtual relationships are LESS PERSONAL
- Virtual relationships are less effective + personal than face to face ones, as it is hard to self-disclose and grow close to somebody
What reasons does Reduced Cues Theory give for virtual relationships having less self-disclosure + so less closeness?
Less cues in speech (paralanguage)
- Causes less sense of individual identity (de-individuation)
- De-individuation leads to disinhibition (less control/niceties)
- Communication becomes blunt + aggressive, so self-disclosure stops and the partners don’t become close
Who proposed the Reduced Cues Theory?
Sproull + Kiesler
What is the Hyper-Personal Model?
- Virtual relationships are MORE PERSONAL
- Theory that virtual relationships can involve greater self-disclosure and become more personal more quickly than face to face
Who proposed the Hyper-Personal Model?
Walther
What reasons does Hyper-Personal Model give for virtual relationships having more self-disclosure + so more closeness?
Have anonymity
- People feel comfortable that they won’t receive judgement because they have anonymity (hard to get in real life)
- (Strangers on a train effect)
What is the ‘Strangers on a Train Effect’?
Found that you are willing to disclose more to a stranger on a train than the closest people in their lives, because they don’t fear judgement
Is self-disclosure truthful in the Hyper-Personal Model?
May be HYPERHONEST
(Presenting intensely truthful info)
More likely to be HYPERDISHONEST
(Selective self-presentation: presenting yourself in an idealised way which is false + not representative of our real self)
Define selective self-presentation
Presenting yourself in an idealised way which is false + not representative of our real self
What is reinforcement of selective self-presentation?
Receiver gains positive impression of sender who is selectively self-presenting themselves - this encourages them to continue lying
Define a ‘gate’
Any feature/obstacle that could interfere with the development of a relationship
What is the theory about virtual relationships and gating
There is an absence of gating in virtual relationships (no gating)
Define NVC
Non-verbal communication
Define CMC
Computer-mediated communication
Who proposed absence of gating?
McKenna + Bargh
Are face-to-face relationships ‘gated’?
Yes
Why are face-to-face relationships gated?
Gates include: physical in attractiveness, weight, social anxiety, shyness, lack of geographical proximity
What is the impact of the absence of gating in social relationships?
Gates are absent, allowing the relationship to begin and self-disclosure to start, without the distraction of superficial features
(Relationships form easier)
What is a benefit of absence of gating?
Individuals are free to be themselves + form relationships without boundaries that may usually prohibit this (e.g. unattractiveness)
