Online Relationships
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 9.3.1
Reduced Cues Theory
There are two main theories of how self-disclosure operates within computer-mediated communication (CMC): reduced cues theory and the hyperpersonal model.
Reduced cues theory
- Reduced cues theory (Sproull and Kiesler, 1986) implies that CMC relationships are less effective than face-to-face (FtF) relationships because they lack many of the cues we normally depend on in face-to-face interactions.
Deindividuation
- These factors include non-verbal cues, such as physical appearance and emotional state, and include facial expressions and tone of voice.
- The lack of these cues results in deindividuation because of the reduction in our sense of identity.
Self-disclosure
- Online relationship often involves blunt or aggressive communication.
- This also leads to a reluctance to self-disclose because you are less likely to want to initiate a relationship with someone who appears impersonal.
Use of strategic deception
- Toma et al. (2008) studied deception in online dating profiles.
- Toma et al. found that men often lied about their height, while women lied more about their weight.
- The researchers concluded that people use strategic deception in online relationships.
- They tell small lies that make them look better.
The Hyperpersonal Model
Walther's (1996, 2011) hyperpersonal model argues that online relationships can be more personable and involve greater self-disclosure than face-to-face ones.
Theory explained
- This is because CMC relationships can develop very quickly as self-disclosure happens earlier, and once established they are more intense and intimate.
Cooper and Sportolari (1997)
- But CMC relationships can also end more quickly, because the high excitement level of the interaction isn’t matched by the level of trust between the relationship partners.
- Cooper and Sportolari (1997) called this the boom and bust phenomenon of online relationships.
Selective self presentation
- According to the hyperpersonal model, a key feature of self-disclosure in virtual relationships is that the sender of the message has more time to manipulate their online image than they would in a face-to-face situation.
- Walther calls this selective self presentation.
Walther
- People online have more control over what to disclose and the cues they send.
- This makes it much easier to manipulate self disclosure to promote intimacy in CMC relationships, by self-presenting in a positive and idealised way.
Anonymity
- Anonymity is another aspect of CMC that can make relationships more hyperpersonal.
- Bargh et al. (2002) suggest that when you’re aware that other people do not know your identity, you feel less accountable for your behaviour.
- This can lead to someone disclosing more about themselves to a stranger than even their most intimate partner.
The Hyperpersonal Model: Gating
Walther's (1996, 2011) hyperpersonal model argues that online relationships can be more personable and involve greater self-disclosure than face-to-face ones.
Absence of gating
- An element of online relationships is the absence of gating.
- A gate is any obstacle that can interfere with the early development of a relationship.
- In face-to-face (FtF) interactions there are many gates, such as physical unattractiveness, stammer, and social anxiety.
McKenna and Bargh (1999)
- McKenna and Bargh (1999) argue that a huge advantage of computer-mediated communication (CMC) is the absence of gating, meaning that a relationship can develop to the point where self-disclosure becomes more frequent and deeper.
Gating
- This absence of gating allows an online relationship to form in a way that is less likely to happen in face-to-face situation.
- Absence of gating works by re-focusing attention on self-disclosure and away from what may be considered superficial or distracting features.
Creation of online identities
- In other words, when online, people are more interested in what other people tell them, and less interested in what they look like.
- An absence of gating also means that people are free to create online identities that they could never manage face-to-face.
- People can change their sex or gender or an introvert can portray themselves as an extrovert.
Test yourself on Online Relationships
Who studied reduced cues theory?
What have psychologists often observed virtual relationships to have?
Who identified the boom and bust phenomenon of online relationships?
Which of the following is used to describe any obstacle that can interfere with the early development of a relationship?