Virtual Relationships In Social Media: ✅

Question 1

What is CMC?

Answer 1

Computer mediated communication.

Question 2

How does self-disclosure operate in CMC relationships?

Answer 2

• Reduced cures theory.
• Hyper-personal model.

Question 3

Explain the reduced cues theory?

Answer 3

• By sproull and kiesler 1986.
• That CMC relations are less effective due to lacking cues.
• EG = facial expressions + tone of voice.
• lack of cues causes de-individualisation as it reduces people sense of identity. (Don’t trust other person)
• CMC likely to have blunt convo/ reluctance to self-disclose.

Question 4

Explain the hyper personal model? What can happen?

Answer 4

• Walther argues that CMC relations can be more intermate/more self-disclosure.
• This is bc it become intense quickly. (Boom and bust can happen).
• Selective self-presentation does occur = can manipulate own image. (More control over disclosure).
• Promotes self-disclosure = anonymity (stranger on train effect) feel protected to disclosure more due to 1) not seeing the person 2) can’t report to friends

Question 5

What is a gate? What is gated? Give example?

Answer 5

Obstacle to the formation of a relationship.
FtF interaction.
Eg. Physical unattractivness, stammer, social anxiety.

Question 6

Who argues that an advantage of CMC is the absence of gating?

Answer 6

McKenna and Braugh 1999.

Question 7

What are the effects of absence of gating on a virtual relationship?

Answer 7

• Relationship can develop which would be less likely if it was FtF. (Barriers are removed) this encourages people to give dating a try.
• Refocuses attention onto self-disclosure.
• Free to create their own identities. (Have confidence).

Question 8

What study supports the absence of gates? Explain?

Answer 8

Mckennna and braugh:
- Looked at CMC by socially anxious and lonely people.
F = people able to express “true self” than FtF.
Relationships that were formed 70% lasted over 2 years.
V
49% of shy people in FtF.
Supports positive impacts of absent gates.

Question 9

Evaluation points?

Answer 9

Lack of research support for reduced cues theory:
- Maybe different non-verbal cues. Eg. Walther = cues like timing/style are used.
- Emojis + acrousics are used as facial expression substitutes.

Conclusion = Success of CMC makes reduced cues theory difficult to explain bc CMC interactions can be just as personal + possible to express emotion.

Question 10

Research support for hyper personal model?

Answer 10

HPM = predicts people viturally are motivated to self-disclose. “Hyper honest”
Whitby and Johnson 2009
- Questions asked both virtually and FtF.
F= virtually were more direct and intimate but FtF was more “small-talk”. Supports how CMC relationships self-disclose in a positive light which aids relationship formation.