Evolutionary explanations – mating choice is a biological preference Virtual Relationships – whether self-disclosure differs from FtF
surrounding reproductive success. relationships
Sexual selection – characteristics that increase reproductive success Self-disclosure
are passed to offspring & may become exaggerated over time 1. Reduced cues theory – virtual rshp’s less effective TIB:
Human reproductive behaviour – behaviours which relate to - Lack cues seen in FtF – verbal, facial expression, tone, emotion
opportunities to reproduce & increase survival chances of our genes. - Leads to de-individualisation – reduces people sense of identify
Anisogamy – difference in male & female gametes. (Cause difference in which encourages disinhibition.
dating strategies) - Therefore, responses will be blunt/ aggressive which ↓intimacy,
- Male gametes – small, highly mobile, vast quantity, little energy reluctance to self-disclosure,
expenditure to produce 2. The Hyperpersonal model– virtual rshp’s more personal & ↑self-
- Female gametes – large, static, limited quantity & fertility window, disclosure
require huge energy. (Fertile women = rare resource) - Self-disclosure can occur earlier & rshp develops quicker
Male dating Strategy Female dating - Boom & Bust phenomenon – high excitement in early stages
strategy isn’t matched by level of trust & relationship develops & ends
Intra-sexual selection – quantity over Inter-sexual selection – quickly.
quality quality over quantity - Selective self-penetration – sender can manipulate online image
- ↑ & easy availability of sperm = aim to - Limited reproduction to self-present in a +ve way, ↑self-disclosure & intimacy
impregnate as many women as resource = ‘choosy’ - Anonymity – being aware the others do not know your identity,
possible = ↑survival of their genes. - F invests ↑ time, you feel less accountable for behaviour and self-disclose more.
Males compete between each other for commitment, energy Absence of Gating
‘rare resource’ of women causing resource before, - Gate – obstacle in the formation of relationship (high in FtF)
Behavioural consequences during & after birth. - Absence of gating means relationship can develop to point of
- Aggression protects female from - Consequence of wrong frequent & deep self-disclosure
rivals partner is much - By refocussing attention away from external features onto their
- Preference to youth & fertility so greater words = greater self-disclosure.
males can reproduce with as many Sexy-sons hypothesis – - Disadv: Online danger - people can create fake online identities
females possible to ↑ chances of females choose attractive to encourage a rshp. People who favour online rshp’s are likely to
passing on genes. Men look for hip: males, ↑chance of be vulnerable in real life.
waist as indicator. reproductive successes of Strength Weakness
Dimorphism – diff in M & F appearance offspring = F genes McKenna – online McKenna – women rated VR more intimate
- Larger males = ↑competitors = passed on through rshp’s in anxious & whereas men rate their VR less close.
↑mating generations shy people found - due to the diffe in preferences of rshps,
↑expression than in women prefer words, men prefer
Strength Weakness FtF. activities.
Buss 1989 survey Chang 2011 – longitudinal study in China found - Supports hyper- - theory has Beta bias.
of 10,000 adults in women’s dating preferences to change personal & Different not reduced cues – use of
33 countries. F - Women’s ↑role in workplace mean no longer absence of gating. emoji’s, time, length
valued resources & dependant on men as a ‘resource’. TIB… - Success of online rshp’s undermine
M valued Outdated - 70% of these reduced cues
reproductive Ignores homosexual relationships rshp’s succeeded Disclosure dependant on type of virtual
capacity. - Do not aim to reproduce >2yrs = virtuality communication
- Supports - Limited application TIB… Therefore. is important to - ↑disclosure in gaming or Facebook
anisogamy. ethically sensitive – waist: hip ration creates help rshp’s ‘move updates as low chance of meeting
- ↑cultural ‘ideal’ off’ - ↓disclosure in online dating with
strangers. Due to possibility of meeting?
surrounding reproductive success. relationships
Sexual selection – characteristics that increase reproductive success Self-disclosure
are passed to offspring & may become exaggerated over time 1. Reduced cues theory – virtual rshp’s less effective TIB:
Human reproductive behaviour – behaviours which relate to - Lack cues seen in FtF – verbal, facial expression, tone, emotion
opportunities to reproduce & increase survival chances of our genes. - Leads to de-individualisation – reduces people sense of identify
Anisogamy – difference in male & female gametes. (Cause difference in which encourages disinhibition.
dating strategies) - Therefore, responses will be blunt/ aggressive which ↓intimacy,
- Male gametes – small, highly mobile, vast quantity, little energy reluctance to self-disclosure,
expenditure to produce 2. The Hyperpersonal model– virtual rshp’s more personal & ↑self-
- Female gametes – large, static, limited quantity & fertility window, disclosure
require huge energy. (Fertile women = rare resource) - Self-disclosure can occur earlier & rshp develops quicker
Male dating Strategy Female dating - Boom & Bust phenomenon – high excitement in early stages
strategy isn’t matched by level of trust & relationship develops & ends
Intra-sexual selection – quantity over Inter-sexual selection – quickly.
quality quality over quantity - Selective self-penetration – sender can manipulate online image
- ↑ & easy availability of sperm = aim to - Limited reproduction to self-present in a +ve way, ↑self-disclosure & intimacy
impregnate as many women as resource = ‘choosy’ - Anonymity – being aware the others do not know your identity,
possible = ↑survival of their genes. - F invests ↑ time, you feel less accountable for behaviour and self-disclose more.
Males compete between each other for commitment, energy Absence of Gating
‘rare resource’ of women causing resource before, - Gate – obstacle in the formation of relationship (high in FtF)
Behavioural consequences during & after birth. - Absence of gating means relationship can develop to point of
- Aggression protects female from - Consequence of wrong frequent & deep self-disclosure
rivals partner is much - By refocussing attention away from external features onto their
- Preference to youth & fertility so greater words = greater self-disclosure.
males can reproduce with as many Sexy-sons hypothesis – - Disadv: Online danger - people can create fake online identities
females possible to ↑ chances of females choose attractive to encourage a rshp. People who favour online rshp’s are likely to
passing on genes. Men look for hip: males, ↑chance of be vulnerable in real life.
waist as indicator. reproductive successes of Strength Weakness
Dimorphism – diff in M & F appearance offspring = F genes McKenna – online McKenna – women rated VR more intimate
- Larger males = ↑competitors = passed on through rshp’s in anxious & whereas men rate their VR less close.
↑mating generations shy people found - due to the diffe in preferences of rshps,
↑expression than in women prefer words, men prefer
Strength Weakness FtF. activities.
Buss 1989 survey Chang 2011 – longitudinal study in China found - Supports hyper- - theory has Beta bias.
of 10,000 adults in women’s dating preferences to change personal & Different not reduced cues – use of
33 countries. F - Women’s ↑role in workplace mean no longer absence of gating. emoji’s, time, length
valued resources & dependant on men as a ‘resource’. TIB… - Success of online rshp’s undermine
M valued Outdated - 70% of these reduced cues
reproductive Ignores homosexual relationships rshp’s succeeded Disclosure dependant on type of virtual
capacity. - Do not aim to reproduce >2yrs = virtuality communication
- Supports - Limited application TIB… Therefore. is important to - ↑disclosure in gaming or Facebook
anisogamy. ethically sensitive – waist: hip ration creates help rshp’s ‘move updates as low chance of meeting
- ↑cultural ‘ideal’ off’ - ↓disclosure in online dating with
strangers. Due to possibility of meeting?
