Seeking Global Coherence

The historical focus on relationships based on the trust and respect of people—initially family and then moving into business associates—has become idea focused, with value built on respect for and resonance with ideas. Simultaneously, trust based on integrity and consistency over time has given way to instant virtual relationships, often built on ONE BIG IDEA, whether it is true or not. This is the concept of Idea Locking. This chapter asks: Is there something deeper at play here? Trust in government media has waxed and waned with changes in administrations, yet the continued government focus on transparency, participation, and collaboration are attributes embraced by the Millennials, the new generation of decision-makers moving into positions of power, who bring with them an inclusive culture embracing coherence. A true global generation, it is this technology-literate group that seeks connection and who, if they can be reached, offers the potential to create a global culture of coherence.

Students’ Experiences in Suddenly Transformed Living and Educational Environments by COVID-19

This manuscript builds on research about how university students felt affected by the Covid19 pandemic and, especially, by the irruption of non-face-to-face classes and mixed teaching methods in this context. How have young people experienced this situation? How has it affected their wellbeing and the learning strategies should develop have had to incorporate into their virtual relationships? their virtual relationships? How have they related and relate to virtual tools for a task that they have always experienced face-to-face? To answer these questions, the TRAY-AP project that investigates how university students learn collected 89 scenes that show the effects of the Covid 19 on their lives and the university. We grouped these scenes into seven key concepts to detect how students were emotionally affected, especially by moving from face-to-face to virtual learning. From this analysis, although primarily negative, the emotional effects have also allowed them to generate positive strategies for readaptation and collaboration with other colleagues. All of which opens the way to rethink the predominant pedagogical and knowledge relations in the university.

Face-to-Face and Online Friendships: Examining Differences in Trust and Distrust Based on Modality

There is growing concern that the quality and psychological benefits of online friendships are not comparable to their face-to-face counterparts. Trust is a key component of relationships and has been studied within the context of virtual relationships for decades. However, previous literature has not thoroughly explored differences in trust among online friendships and online gaming friendships specifically. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in trust and distrust in online friendships based on the relationship’s modality (face-to-face or online). We collected questionnaire responses from participants ( n = 253) regarding characteristics of their friendships as well perceptions of trust and distrust within these relationships. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance did not reveal statistically significant differences between trust and distrust as a function of friendship modality. We discuss these results in terms of theoretical and practical implications for modern friendships and offer recommendations for future research.

Students and the Risk of Virtual Relationships in Social Media: Improving Learning Environments

This study aimed to analyze the risks of social virtual relationships in social media on students. The study's sample consisted of 200 students from the Ajman University (UAE). The study used a questionnaire survey to identify the risks of virtual relationships. The finding was a moderate risk of virtual communication in social media affecting youth. The study offered recommendations to reduce the virtual communication risk through the cumulative effort of family and university, leisure-time activities, and awareness-rising classes.

The Recursive Relationship between Virtual and Real in Relationships

We live in an era of digitally-mediated relationships. From finding a spouse online to daily interactions facilitated through social media, many people build and sustain both platonic and romantic relationships with technology. Virtual worlds are also spaces for these interactions. This special issue is dedicated to an exploration of such topics in a collection of articles exploring “real virtual relationships.”