1. Television the drug of the nation
Or should we update to “social media – the drug of the nation”

2. Starter…
Before we discover more about virtual relationships here is some further
Food for thought

3. So far...
We have outlined what a virtual relationship is compared to a face-to-face relationship
We have looked at one factor in virtual relationships… self disclosure
Today we will look at two more factors:
Deindividuation = being anonymous
Absence of gating

4. Because of deindividuation
Individuals in virtual relationships may say or do things they would not typically do or say in real life
They free themselves from the normal social conventions and restraints they feel in real life
They may lie, exaggerate or reinvent themselves

5. Online people can lose their own sense of identify This may link back to the absence of Social judgment and the belief that no information will go back to those who know the individual in real life

6. An example of self disclosure and deindividuation:
A phenomenon in virtual relationships…sexting – the sending of explicit photographs/videos
This may occur as people are less reserved in their behaviour on social media (this includes texting) than in real life
However, there are dangers
It could be used against you as a form of black mail
You may be forced into doing something you do not want to do

7. ‘deindividuation’ in virtual relationships carries a danger of dishonesty
Individuals may misrepresent themselves in order to appear favourable - to make themselves more “attractive”

8. Smith & Duggan (2013) 54% of individuals using online dating sites believe they have been involved with someone misrepresenting themselves
Misrepresentation

9. Misrepresentation Cornwell & Lundgren (2001)
28% of individuals misrepresented physical appearance
23% their age
18% their background
Catfish
Misrepresentation

10. Deindividuation can lead to Exploitation for…
Financial gain
and for Sexual purposes

11. 28% of individuals report having been contacted online in a way which has left them feeling harassed or uncomfortable
It can be argued that social media and the internet present more opportunities for misrepresentation and harassment than face-to-face relationships do

12. Factor 3: the absence of gating
Virtual relationships are not subject to the factors which typically limit the formation of face-to-face relationships
Visible features such as physical attractiveness, speech impediments, hearing difficulties, shyness etc. are not apparent in virtual relationships
This means less physically “attractive” or socially skilled individuals have a greater chance to build relationships to the point where intimate self disclosure can occur
Factor 3: the absence of gating
Definition:
Gating – factors which create barriers

13. There is the idea that once the relationship has progressed to a deep, intimate level the lack of ‘beauty’ will not be as damaging to the relationship, as it would have been initially in the ‘real’ world
An absence of gating means people online are more likely to be intimate and honest, revealing their ‘true’ self and building closer, meaningful relationships than they would in face-to-face situations where they may never get the opportunity to do so.

14. McKenna et al 2002 Participants either:
interacted with a partner in person on two separate occasions
Interacted via internet chatroom first before meeting in real life
interacted with one person in real life then another in an internet chat room (un-be-known to these individuals, it was the same person)
Findings: Partners were liked more when they met via internet first
Why?...
The degree of physical attractiveness dominated and overwhelmed other factors.
This prohibited the intimate disclosure of information that could have led to greater attraction
McKenna et al 2002

15. This means…
The removal of physical features allows “disadvantaged” individuals, such as those who lack physical beauty to bypass the usual obstacles that hinder them from developing intimate relationship in face-to-face settings

16. Question 1 Match the key terms to the definitions…
Any obstacle to the formation of a relationship
Reduction in the sense of personal identity
Revealing personal information about yourself
Self-disclosure
Gating 
Deindividuation

17. Question 2
Absence of gating 
Describe how each factor influences the formation of virtual relationships
Deindividuation
Self-disclosure
All write answers on white boards, show and reveal. Anyone who doesn’t get it, can someone explain to this person to help them?
Name factors one to three, write each down on whiteboard and explain what it is and why it will influence. Again if someone doesn’t explain, “expert” in this one should explain

18. Scenario…
Nikki works at a local supermarket. She has a few friends there however she finds it very difficult to interact socially because she gets extremely anxious and blushes as soon as it is her time to speak.
Recently, Nikki joined a social networking site and her friends have noticed that her posts look like they are written by a different, more confident person.
Using your knowledge about gating, explain why Nikki appears to be a different person online to offline
Gating is an obstacle in the formation of relationships. In Nikki’s case = her social anxiety and blushing. These interactions are “gated”. She uses the internet to overcome these. As online, her “gate” is absent and she is more confident. People are not distracted by her blushing. She is free to create a different online identity she could not manage face-to-face. She uses the internet to form relationships which wouldn’t have existed in real, offline world.

19. You will have some timed examination style questions on this topic this week
Extra reading: Theoretical basis and studies which look at the differences in disclosure in online and offline relationships ( 0501_Comparing_Online_and_Offline_Self- Disclosure_A_Systematic_Review) Check you are able to evaluate this topic See

20. Create a mind map with “virtual relationship” written in the middle
You should write everything you know with regards to virtual relationships
If you aren’t sure of anything, this is the perfect opportunity to ask questions!
Plenary