With friends, we act crazy. With parents, we act differently. Around strangers, we are much more distant. Surrounded by family, we change as well. But how do we change when no one can see us? When we are a blip or a character on a screen, then how do we act? Why? Because no one knows who we are? Because we are anonymous? Just because we can? How do you act? Is that really you? Who are we really?
I guess you can say from a logical and reality stance, basically people are who they are. The reason why we are loose and crazy with friends is because those are people that relate to you in a way with small ways that can spark a bond. People tend to find people as friends that are just like them. The reason why we act different with parents is because you've been with them for a good majority of your life you see them every morning maybe afternoon and night. As a person you tend to pick up things from people that are around you constantly. The reason why we distant out selfs from strangers is because we don't know who they are or what they can do. In our crazy society and world they can be anyone from killers to drug dealers the list can go on forever. It's like nature in a way. They stay close to the ones they know and care for and distance them selfs from the ones who they don't know.
Chris has it fairly down pat. Check out a sociology textbook, op. Interesting stuff. Spit, you're a different kind of humanoid, that's why you keep different kinds of friends. ??