virtual relationships

self disclosure on a public domain

broadcasting self-disclosure

jourard

how ppl sd online

people present edited version of themselves

more secure about disclosing intimately in private (eg dm) because of the increased control over disclosing to a selected individual

when disclosing in more visible ways, ppl more selective over the content, revealing less private and intimate info eg insta

why do ppl disclose more on the internet

anonymity online makes people confident disclosure stays confidential

face-to-face risks confidentiality breaches and rejection

online anonymity reduces fear of disapproval, encouraging honesty

rubin’s “strangers on a train” phenomenon: people disclose more to strangers

strangers don’t have access to social circle, so confidentiality is less issue

gating

using available features (attractiveness, age/ethnicity)

categorise partners before deciding if we would like a relationship with that person

is gating a factor in online relationships

NO

absence of gates that normally limit shy and less socially skilled from forming rels

consequences of absence of gates

relationships are more likely to develop quickly

true self or ideal self is more likely to be expressed than face-to-face

zhao et al → social networks empower people to present identities they hope to establish but can't face-to-face

people tend to project a more socially desirable version of themselves online

📱 ao3

❌ researching personal social media can breach privacy and confidentiality

✅ rosenfeld & thomas → virtual relationships can be as strong as offline ones

❌ people without internet likely partnered, which could unfairly stigmatise some groups

• Cultural bias
  

  • Most research is based on Western online behaviour

  • May not apply to collectivist cultures where relationships and disclosure are more restrained