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Trust into Collective Privacy? The Role of Subjective Theories for Self-Disclosure in Online Communication

Author

Listed:
  • Ricarda Moll

    (Institute of Psychology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Fliednerstr. 21, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Stephanie Pieschl

    (Institute of Psychology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Fliednerstr. 21, 48149 Münster, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rainer Bromme

    (Institute of Psychology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Fliednerstr. 21, 48149 Münster, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

In order to build and maintain social capital in their Online Social Networks, users need to disclose personal information, a behavior that at the same time leads to a lower level of privacy. In this conceptual paper, we offer a new theoretical perspective on the question of why people might regulate their privacy boundaries inadequately when communicating in Online Social Networks. We argue that people have developed a subjective theory about online privacy putting them into a processing mode of default trust. In this trusting mode people would (a) discount the risk of a self-disclosure directly; and (b) infer the risk from invalid cues which would then reinforce their trusting mode. As a consequence people might be more willing to self-disclose information than their actual privacy preferences would otherwise indicate. We exemplify the biasing potential of a trusting mode for memory and metacognitive accuracy and discuss the role of a default trust mode for the development of social capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricarda Moll & Stephanie Pieschl & Rainer Bromme, 2014. "Trust into Collective Privacy? The Role of Subjective Theories for Self-Disclosure in Online Communication," Societies, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:4:y:2014:i:4:p:770-784:d:43555
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    Cited by:

    1. Sonja Utz & Nicole Muscanell, 2015. "Social Media and Social Capital: Introduction to the Special Issue," Societies, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-5, May.

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