Virtual Relationships Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is the Reduced Cues Theory?
In face to face interaction we rely upon cues such as facial expression and tone of voice that tells us about the other person’s emotional state. Such cues are lacking in virtual relationships.
Why does deindividualisation occur in virtual relationships?
People feel anonymous therefore people are less likely to disclose as they do not feel as though they know or trust the other person.
What is the Hyperpersonal Model?
Virtual relationships may involve quickly self-disclosure as the relationships can develop very quickly and become intense. It may end quickly because the high level of excitement isn’t matched by level of trust.
The ‘boom and bust’ phenomenon.
What effect does absence of gating on virtual relationships?
‘Gates’ are barriers to forming a relationship such as a stammer, shyness and physical unattractiveness. In virtual relationships there are an absence of these. Superficial features are not focus with partners instead getting to know deeper, more important information.
Discuss the limitation of virtual relationships as online non-verbal cues are different rather than absent.
Walther and Tidwell - People use other cues such as style and timing of messages. Taking time may be more intimate than an immediate response. Acronyms and emojis are effective substitutes for facial expressions and tone of voice.
Can be just as personal.
Discuss research opposition of virtual relationships.
Ruppel et al - meta-analysis of 25 studies that compared self disclosure in FTF and virtual relationships. Self report studies showed no significant difference between FTF and virtual relationships in terms of self disclosure.
Contradicts hyper-personal model.
Discuss Research evidence of virtual relationships.
McKenna and Bargh - communication in socially anxious people and people were able express themselves more than in FTF relationships. For anxious people relationships formed online 71% survived compared to 49%.
