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

2. Virtual relationships
Pages
In Social Media

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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”

8. 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

9. 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…

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

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

15. 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…

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

17. 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?

18. 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

19. 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’

20. 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

21. 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

22. “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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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”