Can You See the Real Me? Activation and Expression of the “True Self” on the Internet

Abstract

Those who feel better able to express their “true selves” in Internet rather than face‐to‐face interaction settings are more likely to form close relationships with people met on the Internet (McKenna, Green, & Gleason, this issue). Building on these correlational findings from survey data, we conducted three laboratory experiments to directly test the hypothesized causal role of differential self‐expression in Internet relationship formation. Experiments 1 and 2, using a reaction time task, found that for university undergraduates, the true‐self concept is more accessible in memory during Internet interactions, and the actual self more accessible during face‐to‐face interactions. Experiment 3 confirmed that people randomly assigned to interact over the Internet (vs. face to face) were better able to express their true‐self qualities to their partners.

Cyberpsychology and Human Factors

“…This provides greater control over communications and opportunities to maximise the way in which individuals present themselves and their personal attributes to others 23,24 . This is consistent with research suggesting that individuals communicating online experience more socially desirable interactions than when communicating F2F, and that this leads to the development of more positive interpersonal impressions and relationships 23,25,26,27 . As a result, the hyperpersonal nature of communication may increase disinhibition, as well as the speed and type of personal information disclosed, leading to the intensification of processes of relationship formation.…”

Strangers and Friends: Collaborative Play in World of Warcraft

“…Or a player may be disruptive, running at a monster in what should be a carefully orchestrated attack, ruining play for everyone else. 1 At the time of this writing, The Grand Threat was having problems with a lack of opportunities for level 60 play. Members were torn between seeking a new guild with others at their level and loyalty to the current guild.…”

“…While Gemeinschaft-style social groups provide deep, supportive bonds, such bonds can be constraining as well as fulfilling. People may feel constrained to certain relationships and specific roles that may not actually suit them [1]. In WoW, the guild community is important for many, but not the only choice for collaboration.…”

Framing Public Discussion of Gay Civil Unions

“…Recent experimental comparisons show, for instance, that computer-based discussions-even though they generate much less verbal content overall than face-to-face meetings-produce more questions, greater participant selfdisclosure, more intimate and direct questions, and fewer peripheral exchanges (Tidwell and Walther 2002). Bargh, McKenna and Fitzsimons (2002) interpret their experimental data as indicating that strangers who interact online are, compared with those in face-to-face settings, "better able to present, and have accepted by others, aspects of their true or inner selves" (Bargh, McKenna, and Fitzsimons 2002, p. 45).…”