When people move around the Internet, the people they encounter can’t easily determine who you are. They don’t know your real name, who you are, where your from. This allows you the opportunity to hide all or some of your identity, or alter it. When people have the opportunity to separate their actions online from their in-person lifestyle and identity, they feel less vulnerable about self-disclosing and acting out. Whatever they say or do can’t be directly linked to the rest of their lives. (Suler, 2004) People think they don’t have to be responsible for their behaviors because they can not be identified. Invisibility is another huge factor in why people alter their identity and do things that are out of character, that they would not do in a face to face encounter. In online environments people can not see each other, giving people the freedom to go or do whatever they wish. When people talk face to face we judge the other persons reactions on what were saying based on their facial and body language. So if someone is frowning or making a sigh, a person may be reluctant to express any more information. But online you can’t see each other or the expressions, which allow people to open up and disclose information. The information they disclose though could be true or false.
References
Suler, J. (2004) The Online Disinhibition Effect. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, Vol 7, NO 3, 321-326.
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3 comments:
What are some of the reasons that people would disclose truthful information about themselves if they are using a false identity? Does creating this false identity help or hinder relationship formation? Why?
Do you think some people like the fact that they can just be anonymous and not have to present themselves in any way? It seems like the Internet is a haven for those that are looking to alienate themselves from people's perceptions...
Hey Joe!
I like your lit review; I was wondering if you know if there are any laws against using false identity/false representation of a person with electronic communication? If there were more laws out there against this, perhaps people would be more hesitant towards using a false identity online, and maybe prevent more internet crimes from occuring!
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