Relationships - Virtual Relationship (Paper 3)

Question 1

Why is self disclosure (SD) different in virtual relationships

Answer 1

Online interactions have a degree of anonymity.

Less fear of embarrassing material being leaked to those who you know.

Question 2

What does easier SD result in in relationships

Answer 2

More intimate SD, so VR’s can be stronger, more meaningful and potentially, long lasting.

Question 3

Describe Sproull’s (1986) reduced cue theory

Answer 3

Computer mediated relationships (CMC) are less effective than face to face relationships (FTF)

Because:
CMC relationships lack Non-verbal cues

Leads to deindividuation

Increasing disinhibition (lack of restraint)

And so, more aggressive and blunt

Which can lead to a reduction in SD. Therefore, less effective relationship

Question 4

Describe Walther’s (1996) Hyperpersonal Model

Answer 4

VR are more personal and have more SD than FTF

Because:
SD happens quicker

So, VR become intimate and intense quicker

They can also end more quickly and abruptly as there is a lack of trust.

Because:
SD in VR gives a lot of time and opportunity to manipulate

Selective Self Presentation (We choose the type of person we want to present ourselves as e.g. introvert may present themselves as extrovert)

Hyper Honest vs Hyper Dishonest

Question 5

Evaluate the differences in SD hypotheses based on ethnocentrism (strength / weakness)

Answer 5

American P’s reported greater SD in VR’s. This was associated with more trust.

Korean P’s reported greater SD in VR’s. This was associated with less trust.

Japanese P’s reported no difference in SD.

SD in VR is mediated by cultural factors.

Question 6

Evaluate differences in SD based on research support (strength/weakness - depends which theory)

Answer 6

Peter et al (2005) found:

Introverts motivated to communicate online as it compensates for lack of social skills
Therefore more SD and more VR’s in introverts.

Extroverts were also more likely to have more SD in VR’s. They also found this helped to develop relationships further.

Personality and Individual difference has a role but all can use SD in VR to create stronger relationships.

Question 7

Evaluate differences in SD evaluation based on conflicting evidence (weakness)

Answer 7

VR can be a problem.

People don’t show true self – instead their ideal self

Intimacy created can lead to idealised view

This is then hard to live up to

This may create unhealthy relationships with distorted perceptions

May ignore unhealthy characteristics

E.g. tendency towards cheating / domestic abuse.

Question 8

What did Mckenna and bargh (2000) find

Answer 8

Effects of more open self-disclosure, eg long-term effects – relationships that begin on-line are more durable than other relationships

Question 9

What are the effects of anonymity in VR’s

Answer 9

feelings of closeness and intimacy

less emphasis on physical characteristics

lowered inhibition (so acting more relaxed and natural)

increased self-disclosure

Question 10

What is meant by absence of gating in VR’s

Answer 10

There are fewer obstacles (‘gates’) to forming a virtual relationship because physical and social factors are less influential online

Therefore attention is focused on self-disclosure (i.e. what people say).

Question 11

What does gating refer to

Answer 11

any obstacle to the formation of relationships

For example:
Physical Attractiveness
social skills
social anxiety communication

Question 12

Why does the absence of gating allow VR’s to develop more than they may have done FTF

Answer 12

This allows relationships to develop to the SD level.

As relationships develop other factors like PA are then less damaging.

So, enables the less PA and socially skilled to develop more meaningful relationships.

Question 13

Evaluate the effects of less gating in VR’s based on research support

Answer 13

McKenna and Bargh (2000) studied online communication by shy and socially anxious people.

In this group, 71% of the romantic relationships initially formed online survived more than two years, compared to 49% formed offline

This suggests that shy people do benefit online presumably because the gating that obstructs FtF relationships is absent online.

This reminds us that there is a positive side to social media.

Question 14

Evaluate the effect of gating in VR’s based on relationships being conducted both online and offline (weakness)

Answer 14

However, theories need to include the fact that relationships are usually conducted both online and offline.

The interaction between people online will influence the interaction in the FtF relationship, including the level and speed of self-disclosure.

As such these two kinds of communication have to be considered together and not separately.

This suggests that current theories may underestimate the complexity of virtual relationships including the role of gating.

Question 15

Evaluate theories of VR’s on social media based on variable effects of different online contexts (weakness)

Answer 15

People disclose more on gaming sites than on dating websites because the latter is likely to lead to face-to-face encounter