Virtual Relationships In Social Media

Question 1

What are the two theories/models for virtual relationships

Answer 1

-Reduced cues theory
-The hyper personal model

Question 2

Reduced cues theory

Answer 2

-Sproull and Kiesler
-Online relationships have lower self disclosure due to lack of face to face cues
-These cues can be physical (appearance) or emotional (facial expressions)
-This leads to deindividuation (reducing a person’s sense of identity) which in turn leads to disinhibition in relating to others
-This leads to blunt, aggressive conversations and a reluctance to self disclose since your unlikely to form an intimate relationship or disclose information with someone who’s impersonal

Question 3

Hyper personal model

Answer 3

-Walther
-Online relationships can be more personal and involved greater self disclosure
-Boom and bust phenomenon
-Selective self representation
-Anonymity
-All of these lead to higher levels of self disclosure

Question 4

Boom and bust phenomenon

Answer 4

The relationship forms quickly with high levels of self disclosure being intense and intimate but it also ends more quickly due to high excitement not matching the level of trust

Question 5

Selective self representation

Answer 5

-The sender has the ability to manipulate their self image online
-They have more control over what they disclose and the sues they send
-Self representing in a positive ideal way to manipulate self disclosure

Question 6

Anonymity

Answer 6

-When you’re aware that someone doesn’t know your identity you feel less accountable for your behavior
-Increasing levels of self disclosure

Question 7

What is gating

Answer 7

-An obstacle in the way of the early formation of a relationship
-In face to face relationships this could be anxiety or attractiveness

Question 8

Absence of gating

Answer 8

-Online relationships remove focus from these superficial and distracting features, allowing for more frequent and deeper self disclosure

Question 9

Research support, hyper personal model

Answer 9

-Whitty and Joinson
-Found that questions asked online were often probing and intimate, different to small talk often associated with face to face meetings

-Shows how people are encouraged to be either hyper honest or hyper dishonest when motivated to self disclose
-Supports the assertion that the way we self disclose in VR is designed to present ourselves in an exaggeratedly positive light

Question 10

Contradicting research for reduced cues theory

Answer 10

-Walther and Tidwell
-Cues are not absent but instead expressed in a different form compared to face to face
-Style and timing of messages
-Taking time to respond is often perceived as being more intimate
-Acrostics, emoticons, voice messages

-Shows that online relationships can be just as personal

Question 11

Doesn’t account for all types of communication, too simplistic

Answer 11

-Self disclosure is a blanket phenomenon which depends on the social network being used
-People interacting on social sites usually have interactions in real life
-More willing to disclose on Facebook than an e-commerce web form
-Self disclosure is reduced in online dating because they expect to meet in real life but it’s increased in chatrooms and gaming spaces

-Neglects the richness and variety of virtual relationships