RELS 12/13: Virtual relationships A03

Explain how Whitty & Joinson's findings support the hyperpersonal model (4)

* People do manipulate self- presentation online

* Increase in hyperhonesty, e.g., more direct questions

* Increase in hyperdishonesty, e.g., fake dating profiles

* Lack of cues don't reduce self- disclosure, they enhance it

Outline the findings from (i) correlational / self- report studies and (ii) experimental studies in Ruppel's meta- analysis of self- disclosure in virtual relationships (3)

Correlational / self- report studies

* Self- disclosure slightly higher in face to face than virtual communication

* Correlation = 0.2 (i.e., more FtF, higher SD)

Experimental studies

* No difference in self- disclosure between face to face and virtual communication

* Studies measured breadth, depth and frequency of self- disclosure

Explain what conclusions can be drawn about reduced cues theory and the hyperpersonal model from Ruppel's meta- analysis (4)

* Neither theory clearly supported

* Evidence shows no / weak trends

* Variation in methods used and contexts tested

* Hard to draw general conclusions

Explain how Walther & Tidwell argue that cues are not necessarily reduced in online communication (3)

* People use other cues in virtual communication, e.g.,

* Timing of response

* Emojis and acronyms

Explain what is shown by the findings of McKenna & Bargh's study of computer mediated communication use by lonely / anxious people (4)

* Felt able to express true selves more in CMC

* 71% of relationships formed online survived > 2 years

* Higher than in relationships formed offline (1/2)

* Shows that gates inhibit, and absence of gates enhance, self- disclosure