virtual relationships

what is the effect of self-disclosure in online relationships?

occurs quicker due to anonymity

• online there is less risk of ridicule or rejection from people you know

what are the two models/elements of virtual relationships suggested by Walther?

• hyper-personal model of virtual relationships

• selective-self presentation

hyper-personal model of virtual relationships

• relationships quickly become more intense due to quicker self-disclosure, leading them to feel more intimate and meaningful

• can also end quicker as hard to sustain same level of intense self-disclosure for long

selective self-presentation

• easier to manipulate self-disclosure online

• as have more time to edit responses to present yourself in a more positive light

• this makes online partner want to disclose more personal information, increasing the intensity of relationship

what does the reduced cue theory suggest?

• online relationships may be less open and honest as in real life we rely on subtle cues, e.g. facial expression, tone of voice, etc

• suggested that these cues are absent online

• reduction in communication can lead to de-individuation and brings behaviours people usually restrain themselves from displaying, like aggression

what is the absence of gating?

• in real life attraction is largely influenced by appearance, mannerisms, and other factors

• online these gates (barriers) are absent

• this creates more opportunities for people to develop romantic relationships

• when these factors are discovered later on, they rarely decrease already-developed attraction due to high intimacy caused by open self-disclosure

why is it a weakness that the reduced cue theory doesn’t consider cues available online?

• cues online are different, not absent - can use simple things like emojis/gifs or now we can even face time or voice call

• online relationships can be just as personal and in-depth as in real life ones

• question how valid explanation is

what culture bias is present?

• research is based on western experiences with technologically developed countries

• not readily available in some places

• so conclusions don’t apply to people living there

• lowers ecological validity

why does this explanation have low temporal validity?

• most supporting research conducted in 1990s-2000s

• technology has changed rapidly since then, which impacts online relationships

• conclusions may not apply to current social norms and behaviours anymore

• research risks being outdated and not relevant