R9. Virtual Relationships

Question 1

Difference in self disclosure: CMC vs F2F

Answer 1

• CMC (computer mediated communications) vs F2F (Face to Face)
• rate of progression and intimacy will differ
• CDC have poorer intimacy levels due to lacking F2F features, such as facial expressions or tonality
• individuals may be excessively blunt or impersonal, inhibits early intimacy

Question 2

Hyperpersonal Model

Answer 2

• CMC relationships develop quicker than F2F
• ‘boom and bust’ phenomenon
• initial self-disclosure high as partners can be selective about shared information
• however, trust and intimacy not built at same rate as F2F
• anonymity makes build/breakup less personal

Question 3

Gating

Answer 3

• reasons for choosing one person over an other
• each individual is selective about how they present themselves, so there are less negatives which means there’s fewer reasons to NOT date

Question 4

+ Eval: Hyperpersonal model

Answer 4

• CMC bypasses small talk, questions are more direct
• more likely to self-disclose as we can be selective about what we reveal
• selective-self presentation and anonymity importance are presented

Question 5

• Eval: lack eco-validity

Answer 5

• can’t explain course of modern-day relationships
• mix of CMC and F2F
• individuals pressured to portray themselves the same CMC and FWF; lacks validity that ‘gating’ solely off CMC or F2F, attempt to be desirable

Question 6

• Eval: Assumption: CMC may not suffer due to physical non-verbal cues

Answer 6

• use of emojis, message length, timing and tone of messages refutes idea that online relationships may be impersonal