CAS283:

Lesson 08: Issues in Computer Mediated Communication

What is Computer-Mediated Communication?

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) has been defined as “synchronous or asynchronous electronic mail and computer conferencing, by which senders encode in text messages that are relayed from senders’ computers to receivers.” CMC has also been described as “any communication patterns mediated through the computer.” Walther and Burgoon (1992) argue that, “for many of us, CMC is no longer a novelty but a communication channel through which much of our business and social interaction take place, and this transformation is expected to continue.” They note, “CMC produces much different affective and relational patterns than do other types of communication, due to the reduction and types of cues available to participants.”

Concerned with processes of online social interaction such as identity construction, relationship formation, and community building (Thurlow, Lengel & Tomic, 2004), computer-mediated communication scholars have demonstrated the potential for online social interactions to enhance self-presentation, relational maintenance, and social bonding. This somewhat complex experience has potential to change and reduce identity to categories that the user decides to create. Individuals exploit the features of these media to make their best impression and attract attention or to ward off undesired contacts (Tong & Walther, 2011)

Santoro (1995) expands the idea of CMC to “encompass virtually all computer uses... (including) such diverse applications as statistical analysis programs, remote-sensing systems, and financial modeling programs all fit within the concept of human communication." CMC most commonly refers to human communication via computers and includes many different forms of synchronous, asynchronous or real-time interaction that humans have with each other using computers as tools to exchange text, images, audio and video.

It is the process of sending messages--primarily, but not limited to text messages--through the direct use by participants of computers and communication networks.

In the case of the characteristics of the participant, it is important to realize that each person possesses a range of different characteristics, and any one of these might become prominent, depending on the situation. For example, in face to face interaction, a shy person might become loud and flamboyant around good friends, but he or she might seem reclusive in an unfamiliar situation. In the same way, participants on different forms of CMC can exhibit a number of different characteristics at different times. This theory is known as the Self Categorization Theory because each person decides which of his or her categorizations he or she will make salient at a certain time. Turner (2005) sees the categorization process as the causal driver of power and influence. From this perspective, embodying the prototype of the "in group" is what maximizes influence, influence is the basis of power, and power leads to control over resources. CMC enables people to have a certain sense of power that they may not have in their lives.

Changes often occur in social boundaries and status as participants often feel more freedom. Advances in technology-enabled social arrangements allow us to see if theories can stretch their original assumptive boundaries. (Walther, 2011) Audiences are no longer bounded by space and time in using social media. Individuals from different social circles and life streams become connected as they share information and interests. 

Citations:

Santoro, G. M. (1995). What is Computer Mediated Communication? In Z. L. Berge & M. P. Collins (Eds.), Computer Mediated Communication and the Online Classroom:  Overview and Perspectives (pp. 11-27). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

Thurlow, C., Lengel, L. Tomic, A. 2004). Computer mediated communication: Social interaction on the internet. London: Sage.

Tong, S. T., & Walther, J. B. (2011). Relational maintenance and computer-mediated communication.  In K. B. Wright & L. M. Webb (Eds.), Computer-mediated communication in personal relationships (pp. 98–119). New York: Peter Lang.

Turner, J. C. (2005). Explaining the nature of power: A three-process theory.  European Journal of Social Psychology, 35, 1–22.

Walther, J. B. (2011)Theories of Computer-Mediated Communication and Interpersonal Relations (chapter 14) in The SAGE Handbook of Interpersonal Communication edited by Mark L. Knapp, John A. Daly.

Walther, J. B., & Burgoon, J. K. (1992). Relational communication in computer-mediated interaction. Human Communication Research, 19, 50-88.