Self-disclosure and liking online and face-to-face

Abstract

The current study was designed to replicate previous findings that people like each other more online (Bargh et al., 2002; McKenna et al., 2002) and that they self-disclose more online (Joinson, 2001; Tidwell & Walther, 2002). In addition, the degree to which self-disclosure is positively associated with liking online and face-to-face was investigated. Unacquainted participants (N = 122) were assigned to dyads (N = 61) that met online or in-person, and discussed questions expected to elicit high or low disclosure. Following the 30 minute meeting, measures of self and perceived disclosure and liking were assessed. Results did not replicate previous findings. Differences in liking and disclosure did not emerge between participants online or in-person, but additional analyses revealed differences in the relationship between self-disclosure and liking online and in-person. Liking between face-to-face participants was associated primarily with the amount of disclosure they perceived from their partners’, while liking for online participants was more related to their own self-disclosure.