Virtual RS
Increasing use of social media has led to research on differences between the relationships
formed andmaintained online and those formed and maintained face to face (FtF).
AO1 OUTLINE
Self Self disclosure is the process of communication where people reveal
disclosure information about themselves to one another. Self disclosure is crucial in FtF
relationships so psychologists have turned their attention to its role and nature in
virtual relationships, also known as computer-mediated communication (CMC).
Reduced (Reduced SD) According to Sproull and Kiesler reduced cues in CMC may lead to
cue less self disclosure. They suggested that CMC relationships are less effective
theory than FtF relationships due to the lack of nonverbal cues, such as physical
appearance & emotional state including voice and facial expressions.
This lack of emotional cues leads to feelings of anonymity and a state of
de-individuation. This lowered inhibition can make people feel freer from the
constraints of social norms (disinhibition) which can lead to blunt and even
aggressive communication and a reluctance to self disclose.
Hyper (More SD) In contrast, Walther’s Hyperpersonal model suggests that CMC’s may
personal involve more self disclosure. Online persona can be heavily manipulated and
model controlled through selective presentation, which can either be super honest or
super dishonest.
Early self disclosure means that CMC relationships develop quickly because
intimacy occurs sooner than in real life RS (Bargh). Such relationships can
become more intense and intimate.
However, CMC relationships can also end more quickly because of high
excitement level but low levels of trust. As a result of this deindividuation,
along with feeling of anonymity, it means people may feel less accountable for
their behavior and disclose more than they would than in a FtF relationship.
Absence (benefits & drawbacks) Absence of gating refers to the way that virtual
of gating relationships remain relatively anonymous, in comparison to FtF.
Virtual RS removes factors that normally act as a barrier to interaction, such as
low levels of attractiveness, physical anomalies, speech deficits, being from a
different age or social background.
McKenna and Bargh argue that facial disfigurement or a stammer may be
obstacles to a FtF relationship. However, starting a relationship online means that
‘gates’ are not there. A relationship can develop and once self-disclosure becomes
deeper the gates become less of an issue.
Absence of gating has benefits. Without the obstacle of FtF communication people
are free to create different online identities and overcome various barriers.
For example, a shy person can become more extraverted online and their
personality is no longer an obstacle. However, there is also scope for people to
create an untrue persona.
Increasing use of social media has led to research on differences between the relationships
formed andmaintained online and those formed and maintained face to face (FtF).
AO1 OUTLINE
Self Self disclosure is the process of communication where people reveal
disclosure information about themselves to one another. Self disclosure is crucial in FtF
relationships so psychologists have turned their attention to its role and nature in
virtual relationships, also known as computer-mediated communication (CMC).
Reduced (Reduced SD) According to Sproull and Kiesler reduced cues in CMC may lead to
cue less self disclosure. They suggested that CMC relationships are less effective
theory than FtF relationships due to the lack of nonverbal cues, such as physical
appearance & emotional state including voice and facial expressions.
This lack of emotional cues leads to feelings of anonymity and a state of
de-individuation. This lowered inhibition can make people feel freer from the
constraints of social norms (disinhibition) which can lead to blunt and even
aggressive communication and a reluctance to self disclose.
Hyper (More SD) In contrast, Walther’s Hyperpersonal model suggests that CMC’s may
personal involve more self disclosure. Online persona can be heavily manipulated and
model controlled through selective presentation, which can either be super honest or
super dishonest.
Early self disclosure means that CMC relationships develop quickly because
intimacy occurs sooner than in real life RS (Bargh). Such relationships can
become more intense and intimate.
However, CMC relationships can also end more quickly because of high
excitement level but low levels of trust. As a result of this deindividuation,
along with feeling of anonymity, it means people may feel less accountable for
their behavior and disclose more than they would than in a FtF relationship.
Absence (benefits & drawbacks) Absence of gating refers to the way that virtual
of gating relationships remain relatively anonymous, in comparison to FtF.
Virtual RS removes factors that normally act as a barrier to interaction, such as
low levels of attractiveness, physical anomalies, speech deficits, being from a
different age or social background.
McKenna and Bargh argue that facial disfigurement or a stammer may be
obstacles to a FtF relationship. However, starting a relationship online means that
‘gates’ are not there. A relationship can develop and once self-disclosure becomes
deeper the gates become less of an issue.
Absence of gating has benefits. Without the obstacle of FtF communication people
are free to create different online identities and overcome various barriers.
For example, a shy person can become more extraverted online and their
personality is no longer an obstacle. However, there is also scope for people to
create an untrue persona.
