9) Virtual Relationships in Social Media

What is meant by a virtual relationship?

Virtual relationships are those which do not exist on a face to face basis.

• Social media platforms allow these relationships to exist alongside or as a substitute for a face to face relationship.

Self-disclosure is key in virtual relationships, as the usual restrictions and social norms which govern disclosure are removed in virtual domains.

Name the two key contrasting theories in the study of virtual relationships.

• The reduced cues theory

• Hyperpersonal model

What does CMC stand for?

Computer mediated communications

Name the creators of the reduced cues theory?

Sproull and Kiesler

Outline the reduced cues theory?

Sprout and Kiesler:

Suggest that online relationships (CMC) are less effective than face to face relationships because they lack non-verbal cues that we often depend on to understand how the other person is feeling.

• Non-verbal communication include:

  • Physical Appearance

  • Tone of voice

  • Facial Expressions

Outline what is meant by deindividuation as part of the reduced cues theory?

Deindividuation is a reduction in a person’s sense of individual identity, which in turn encourages disinhibition in relating to others.

E.G: a person can hide behind a screen name or an avatar so that their personal identity is to some extent lost.

• Blunt and aggressive communication is more likely in virtual relationships due to a lack of inhibition, as there are few consequences and you can always block somebody after becoming rude or inappropriate to them.

Outline what is meant by a reluctance to self-disclose in relation to the reduced cues theory?

This is where you are unlikely to want to initiate a relationship or share your innermost feelings with someone who is impersonal.

• This is a downside of virtual relationships, which occurs often when people are on the receiving end of blunt, aggressive or inappropriate communication.

Name the creator of the hyper personal model?

Walther

Outline the hyper personal model?

Walther:
Argues that CMC relationships can be more intimate and can involve self-disclosure.

• They often develop very quickly and once established, are more intense.

• However, they can also end more quickly.

  • As there can be excitement without trust.

  • The boom and bust phenomenon can also play a part.

Name two reasons for increased self disclosure online in relation to the hyper-personal model?

• Selective self-presentation

• Anonymity

Outline what is meant by selective self presentation in relation to the hyper-personal model ?

Senders of messages have time to manipulate their online image.

• Thus, they have more control over cues and disclosure.

• They present themselves in an idealised way.

  • People either become hyper honest or hyper dishonest online about themselves.

• Feedback from the receiver acts as reinforcement for self-presentation, as if they respond positively to what they’ve said they will continue to share and disclose more.

Outline what is meant by anonymity in relation to the hyper-personal model?

Anonymity is another element of CMC relationships that promotes self-disclosure.

BARGH ET AL:
Discusses the strangers on a train effect.

• People do not know you, so feel less accountable for their behaviour and so, disclosure occurs more.

Outline what is meant by the absence of gating in terms of CMC relationships?

Face to face relationships are often considered to be ‘gated’.

• It involves obstacles/barriers that could interfere with the early development of a relationship.

• This could lead to the relationship failing to form.

  • This could include things such as physical elements, a stammer, social anxiety or shyness.

The absence of gating provides opportunities for people who previously may have isolated themselves from relationships (E.G: due to fear or self-consciousness), to connect to others.

• It encourages self-disclosure within the veil of anonymity and allows people ways to express themselves in ways that face to face encounters may not have allowed.

Furthermore, the absence of gating can encourage virtual relationships to become face to face, as the superficial gates that may have blocked it are now gone, and each person will be seen as a person in their own right rather than a set of characteristics.

Name researchers who investigated the positives of the absence of gating to CMC relationships?i

Bargh and McKenna

Outline a study into the absence of gating?

BARGH AND McKENNA:
Conducted 3 experiments using students as participants.

Found that those that can express their ‘true selves’ online are more likely to form close and intimate virtual relationships as attention is directed away from the superficial.

• Thus, self disclosure can get to point where it is frequent and intimate.

• This allows relationships to get off the ground.

• People are also free to be who they want to be.

  • However, this can lead to the creation of untrue identities.

Evaluate one strength of virtual relationships?

STRENGTH: POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

One positive element of the lack of gates in CMC relationships is that shy, lonely and socially anxious people find virtual relationships especially valuable.

McKENNA AND BARGH:

Looked at online communication by shy, lonely and socially anxious people. They found that they were able to express their true selves more than in face-to-face relationships.

KIRKPATRICK AND DAVIS:

• Of the romantic relationships initially formed by shy people online, 71% survived for at least two years, compared to only 49% for relationships by shy people in face to face relationships.

So, CMCs can provide an opportunity for lonely people to connect with others which has a positive impact on their wellbeing and mental health.

Evaluate the limitations of virtual relationships?

LIMITATION: LACK OF SUPPORT FOR HYPER-PERSONAL MODEL

RUPPEL:

Carried out a meta-analysis of 25 studies and compared self disclosures in Ftf and virtual interactions.

• Found that self- report studies showed that the frequency, breadth and depth of self-disclosures were all greater in FtF relationships.

Contradicts the hyper-personal model’s prediction that the greater intimacy of virtual relationships leads to deeper and increased self disclosure than in FtF relationships.

COUNTERPOINT:

WHITTY AND JOINSON:
Showed that the type of self-disclosure differs in different types of relationships.

• Hyper-honesty and hyper-dishonesty in virtual relationships

• Small talk leads to self disclosure in f2f.

We cannot directly compare them.

LIMITATION: LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR REDUCED CUES THEORY

The theory is wrong to suggest that cues are missing for CMC - they are just different.

WALTHER AND TIDWELL:
Point out that people in online interactions use other cues such as the style and timing of their messages.

• E.G: It is thought that taking time to reply is often interpreted as a more intimate act than an immediate response. However, too much time may be seen as a snub.

• Additionally, acrostics such as “LOL”, emoticons and emojis are also used as effective substitutes for facial expression and tone of voice.

Therefore, it is possible to express emotional states in virtual relationships.