P115-Grp.-7-Initial-Output.docx - GROUP 7: Agustin Ylczar...

GROUP 7: Agustin, Ylczar May 30, 2022
Dagupen, Darlene Blaze
Ducusin, Pauline
Gados, Roselyn
Roy, Dannadrae
Salanga, Christian Adam
P115 (3:30-5:30)
“Benign Online Disinhibition and Self-Expression of Students as
reflected on Online Learning”
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM
I. INTRODUCTION Background of the Study
The online disinhibition effect is a term used to describe
the lowering of psychological restraints, which often serve in
regulating behaviors in the online social environment (Joinson,
2007). The online disinhibition effect provides self-expression
to people who would normally be reluctant to disclose, these
include people who are typically inhibited or shy (Amichai-
Hamburger, 2007; Saunders & Chester, 2008). There are two types
of online disinhibition; The first is benign disinhibition which
is when individuals are motivated to share personal details,
hidden emotions, fears, and wishes. The second is toxic

disinhibition which can be linked to the modern troll (Barak et
al., 2008). It is well known that people say and do things in
cyberspace that people would not ordinarily say or do in the
face-to-face world. People show unusual acts of kindness and
generosity, and researchers call this benign disinhibition
(Suler, 2004). The aspect of the benign online disinhibition
effect is its impact on initiating positive interpersonal
interactions in one too many settings. Bareket- Bojmel, and
Shahar (2011) found that students would reveal previously untold
secrets or personally embarrassing details, in an online setting.
Whether online disinhibition is benign, toxic, or a compromise
formation of the two, several factors account for this loosening
of the repressive barriers against underlying fantasies, needs,
and affect. As in all conceptual dichotomies, the distinction
between benign and toxic disinhibition can be complex or
ambiguous.
The anonymous nature of online interaction allows the
expression of aspects of self that might otherwise remain hidden
(Shaw and Gant, 2002). The online environment allows for self-
presentation to be tailored to the desired audience through
choosing what aspects of self will be hidden or displayed. In
online settings such as e-mail and message boards, communication
is asynchronous. As you move around the internet, most of the

people you encounter can't easily tell who you are. System
operators and some technologically savvy, motivated users may be
able to detect your e-mail or internet address, but for the most
part, people only know what you tell them about yourself. If you
wish, you can keep your identity hidden. As the word "anonymous"
indicates, you can have no name at least not your real name. That
anonymity works wonders for the disinhibition effect. When people
have the opportunity to separate their actions from their real-
world and identity, they feel less vulnerable about opening up.