Do you interact with anyone on any form of social media that you do not actually know in real life? think about it…

Virtual relationships Pages 134-135 In Social Media

Aims: To be able to describe the difference between a virtual relationship and a face-to-face relationship To be able to provide reasons as to why some individuals may prefer a virtual relationship rather than a face-to-face relationship

Being ‘friends’ with someone who you did not know on social media used to be out of the ordinary However, in today’s society it is considered normal In some instances, individuals may seek this out Allowing complete strangers to know every detail of your life is very dangerous

Certain online games actually encourage interaction with strangers For example: World of Warcraft - where you can live chat to others playing the game worldwide Here strangers speak to each other regularly, for long periods of time and it is considered the norm

Interacting online The internet and social media play important roles in the formation of relationships in the modern world This includes both romantic and friendship relationships There are currently over 16,000,000 people on EHarmony and over 23,000,000 people on Match.com 57% of teenagers have formed friendships with individuals they have met online

The internet In the last few years, using the internet to meet people has lost its negative stigma Studies have shown over 20% of relationships have originated from an online relationship 17% of marriages in the past year are between those who have met on a dating site “The internet is the ultimate singles bar – without the noise, the drunks, and the high costs of all those not-so-happy hours”

Individuals can meet each other online and then meet in real life When they meet in real life, this relationship moves from an online relationship to a face to face relationship

On the other hand… An individual may meet another individual online They may form a romantic relationship however they may never meet in real life This would be referred to as a virtual relationship This is a non physical interaction between the two individuals who communicate through the internet (this includes texting) On the other hand…

Why choose a virtual relationship over a face-to-face relationship?

Why a virtual relationship over a face-to-face relationship? In certain societies where homosexuality is frowned upon, the internet has become a place where people from sexual minorities have greater access to possible partners

Why virtual relationship over face-to-face relationship? In Japan, there is high occurrence of virtual relationships with internet animated “girlfriends” This is used as a way to for individuals to build up their confidence and social skills Which can then be used in real life on real individuals on a day-to-day basis

Why virtual relationship over face-to-face relationship? Virtual relationship can lead to greater levels of intimacy between individuals who are less socially skilled This can help individuals build social skills and allow them to potentially develop face to face relationships (Peters et al., 2005)

The formation of virtual relationships can be used as therapy for individuals with social interaction anxiety

Before we move forward… Write down and answer the following question Describe the difference between a virtual relationship and a face-to- face relationship Before we move forward…

Can you identify 3 factors which influence the formation of virtual relationships ? Self disclosure Deindividuation Absence of gating

Factor 1: Self disclosure Means what? This involves revealing personal information about oneself to another individual Make a list of what is… Appropriate self-disclosure? Inappropriate self-disclosure? The importance of self-disclosure is that it must be reciprocated – two way communication Factor 1: Self disclosure Means what?

Factor 1: Self disclosure Do you think there will be differences in self disclosure in virtual relationships compared to face-to-face relationships? Justify your answer… Discuss in pairs and prepare to feedback to the class Factor 1: Self disclosure

Walther The hyperpersonal model Online relationships can be more personal and involve greater self-disclosure than face to face ones. Self disclosure happens earlier People are more likely to self present in a positive way = ‘selective self-presentation’

Factor 1: Self disclosure Due to the anonymous nature of a virtual relationship, individuals can reveal very personal information about themselves with less fear of: Social judgement The information being spread to someone who knows them in real life

Self disclosure = anonymity “strangers on a train” Bargh et al Individuals may reveal more personal information to a stranger as that person does not have access to their social circle. They feel less accountable. However, unlike strangers who only meet once, virtual relationship involve continued interactions meaning that relationships can be formed

“On the internet all you reveal is your heart” It is easier to self-disclose in virtual relationships This means closeness and intimacy develop more quickly than in face-to-face relationships Virtual relationships can be said to be formed on meaningful factors (such as attitudes, interests) more so than superficial factors (such as physical attraction) which may be the foundation of a face-to-face relationship

Because of the anonymity of virtual relationships Self disclosure tends to be about revealing ones “true” self, rather than a “fake” self which may be presented in real life These help build stronger, more meaningful relationships Due to the intimate self disclosure being stronger and more meaningful, this means virtual relationships have the potential to be more long lasting, unlike face-to-face relationships based on attraction This is not to say face-to-face relationships are superficial, this element is typically removed from virtual relationship

Reduced Cues Theory Sproull and Kiesler (1986) Lack of social cues may make people less likely to self –disclose. When people are anonymous i.e DE-individuated they are more ‘disinhibited’ and therefore more likely to speak bluntly and even aggressively

Question 2… Speak to the person next to you “Provide one explanation as to why an individual may enter a virtual relationship, making reference to factors which influence the formation of virtual relationships”