What Is a Hyperpersonal Relationship

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The Answer is A hyperpersonal relationship is a concept that originates from the hyperpersonal model of communication, which was introduced by Joseph Walther in 1996. This model suggests that online interactions can sometimes become more intimate and intense than face-to-face relationships due to the unique aspects of computer-mediated communication (CMC).

In a hyperpersonal relationship, the participants often share a high level of self-disclosure, emotional connection, and intimacy that may surpass what is typically found in traditional relationships. This can happen for several reasons:

1. Selective Self-Presentation: Online environments allow individuals to carefully craft and control how they present themselves. This can lead to an idealized version of oneself being projected, which may be more attractive to the other person.

2. Over-attribution of Similarity: Due to the lack of nonverbal cues and the piecemeal exchange of information, individuals may fill in the gaps with assumptions that the other person is more similar to them than they actually are, leading to a stronger sense of connection.

3. Idealization: With limited information, people tend to idealize their communication partners, attributing positive qualities to them that may not be evident in a face-to-face setting.

4. Feedback Loop: The positive reinforcement received through CMC can encourage individuals to continue the cycle of self-disclosure and intimacy, further deepening the relationship.

Hyperpersonal relationships can develop in various online settings, such as social media, dating sites, chat rooms, and gaming platforms. While these relationships can be deeply meaningful and fulfilling, they also carry the risk of misrepresentation and disappointment if the parties eventually meet in person and the reality does not match the idealized online personas.

It's important to note that hyperpersonal relationships are not inherently good or bad; they are simply a different form of relationship that can develop under the influence of computer-mediated communication dynamics.

What Is a Hyperpersonal Relationship

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