OUTLINE AND EVALUATE THE NATURE OF VIRTUAL RELATIONSHIPS IN SOCIAL MEDIA
The development of the internet has reduced the need for physical proximity which meant
self-disclosure happens differently than in face-to-face relationships. Two theories were
produced to explain this, reduced cues (Sproull and Kesler) and the hyper personal model
(Walther). Reduced cues argues that virtual relationships have decreased identity which
creates a reluctancy to self-disclose and often tone and expression are lost which creates
misunderstandings which don’t occur in face-to-face relationships. The hyper personal
model, however, argues that people disclose more in CMCs because of the reduced
accountability in telling strangers. This makes the relationship develop faster and become
more intimate.
One piece of evidence to support the hyper-personal model comes from McKenna who
found70% of CMC’s lasted longer than 2 years which was more than the average offline
relationship, suggesting virtual relationships are more durable. However, this study didn’t
take personality types onto account which means that the model is less valid as it only looks
at one factor. This is because if someone was introverted, being online may give them the
confidence to be themselves which would help to form stronger relationships.
Another piece of evidence to support reduced theory is that over the internet you lose the
intonation and expression which leads to huge misunderstanding and arguments like
thinking someone was angry with you because their messages seem blunt when in actual
fact, they are just tired and this causes an argument because you think they are being rude
which breaks apart relationships. However, emoticons replace these expressions to give a
better feel of how the words on the screen are meant to be received meaning reduced dues
are no longer an issue in online relationships because they are still there, just different.
A final bit evidence to support virtual relationship is that they have helped with loneliness as
people have turned to finding company through the virtual world. For example, people
make friends through online gaming like PlayStation which has a positive impact on mental
health. However, with more people preferring virtual relationships, people are getting
worse at reading face to face cues which causes problems in jobs like teachers to students
or even two friends talking and catching up. This means that real life relationships are being
jeopardised.
The development of the internet has reduced the need for physical proximity which meant
self-disclosure happens differently than in face-to-face relationships. Two theories were
produced to explain this, reduced cues (Sproull and Kesler) and the hyper personal model
(Walther). Reduced cues argues that virtual relationships have decreased identity which
creates a reluctancy to self-disclose and often tone and expression are lost which creates
misunderstandings which don’t occur in face-to-face relationships. The hyper personal
model, however, argues that people disclose more in CMCs because of the reduced
accountability in telling strangers. This makes the relationship develop faster and become
more intimate.
One piece of evidence to support the hyper-personal model comes from McKenna who
found70% of CMC’s lasted longer than 2 years which was more than the average offline
relationship, suggesting virtual relationships are more durable. However, this study didn’t
take personality types onto account which means that the model is less valid as it only looks
at one factor. This is because if someone was introverted, being online may give them the
confidence to be themselves which would help to form stronger relationships.
Another piece of evidence to support reduced theory is that over the internet you lose the
intonation and expression which leads to huge misunderstanding and arguments like
thinking someone was angry with you because their messages seem blunt when in actual
fact, they are just tired and this causes an argument because you think they are being rude
which breaks apart relationships. However, emoticons replace these expressions to give a
better feel of how the words on the screen are meant to be received meaning reduced dues
are no longer an issue in online relationships because they are still there, just different.
A final bit evidence to support virtual relationship is that they have helped with loneliness as
people have turned to finding company through the virtual world. For example, people
make friends through online gaming like PlayStation which has a positive impact on mental
health. However, with more people preferring virtual relationships, people are getting
worse at reading face to face cues which causes problems in jobs like teachers to students
or even two friends talking and catching up. This means that real life relationships are being
jeopardised.
