Virtual relationships

SELF DISCLOSURE

There are two opposing theories regarding self disclosure in virtual relationships:

1. REDUCED CUES THEORY

Suggests self disclosure is lower.

• Proposed by Sproull and Kiesler (1986)
• CMC relationships are less effective than face to face as they are missing cues such as that to physical appearance and cues to our emotional state.
• Absence of cues leads to deinidividuation (losing one's sense of identity) and disinhibiton (acting in a way you would not normally) as anonymity allows you to feel less accountable for your behaviour..
• Therefore CMC are aggressive and blunt which leads to a reluctance in self disclosure.

AO3:

• Rao and Lim: found deception is common when messaging via the computer largely because cues to deception, such as posture shifts, are not transmitted. This suggests that the absence of face-to-face communication disinhibits users and can lead to anti-social behaviours which they would not normally perform if they were identifiable. Therefore, relationships formed online are of a poorer quality.
• Tidwell and Walther: timing of response and emojis are examples of cues used in a virtual environment, therefore there are in fact cues to emotional state equivalent to those in face-to-face communications. Therefore decreasing validity of reduced cues theory, as online relationships can be just as personal.

2. THE HYPER PERSONAL MODEL

Suggests self diclosure is greater.

• Proposed by Walther (1996)
• CMC relationships develop very quickly as self disclosure happens earlier, making relationships more intense and intimate.
• They can also end quicker due to a lack of underlying trust and knowledge of the other person: the 'boom bust' phenomenon.
• Selective self-presentation increases self disclosure: we have more control over what we present, often promoting positive and idealised versions of ourselves.
• Anonymity leads to less accountability for behaviour and protection in disclosures, therefore increasing self disclosure.
• Self disclosure may also be increased by an absence of gating.

AO3:

• Whitty and Joinson: discovered that in online discussion forums, both…