| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University, 1815 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60208-2236
Previous research on the interpersonal effects of computer-mediated communication (CMC) reveals inconsistencies. In some cases CMC has been found to be impersonal, task-oriented, and hostile. Other reports show warm personal relations, and still others show gradual adjustments in interpersonal relations over time. The past research results are also difficult to compare, as their research methods reveal inconsistent approaches. These inconsistencies include the treatment of time limits on group development, the neglect of nonverbal behavior in face-to-face, comparison groups, and other measurement issues. Each of these factors may obscure our understanding of the way CMC partners get to know and come to relate to each other through CMC. The present study attempts to address some of these concerns. This study explored the effects of computer conferencing on the interpersonal messages with which people define their relationships, known as relational communication. Observers rated the relational communication from transcripts of CMC conversations or from videotapes of face-to-face three-person groups who had worked in several sessions. Analyses showed that CMC groups achieved more positive levels on several dimensions of interpersonal communication than did face-to-face groups. On other dimensions, no differences between conditions were found. In no case did CMC groups express less intimacy or more task-orientation than face-to-face groups. Implications are drawn suggesting that under certain conditions, CMC may promote positive relational effects in ways that previous theories have not considered, and in some ways superior to more traditional media.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  J. Stromer-Galley and R. M. Martey Visual spaces, norm governed places: the influence of spatial context online New Media Society, September 1, 2009; 11(6): 1041 - 1060. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. M. Ledbetter Chronemic Cues and Sex Differences in Relational E-Mail: Perceiving Immediacy and Supportive Message Quality Social Science Computer Review, November 1, 2008; 26(4): 466 - 482. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Forman, A. Ghose, and B. Wiesenfeld Examining the Relationship Between Reviews and Sales: The Role of Reviewer Identity Disclosure in Electronic Markets Information Systems Research, September 1, 2008; 19(3): 291 - 313. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. M. Martey and J. Stromer-Galley The Digital Dollhouse: Context and Social Norms in The Sims Online Games and Culture, October 1, 2007; 2(4): 314 - 334. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. D. Cramton, K. L. Orvis, and J. M. Wilson Situation Invisibility and Attribution in Distributed Collaborations Journal of Management, August 1, 2007; 33(4): 525 - 546. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Z. Schiller and M. Mandviwalla Virtual Team Research: An Analysis of Theory Use and a Framework for Theory Appropriation Small Group Research, February 1, 2007; 38(1): 12 - 59. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. J. Mejias The Interaction of Process Losses, Process Gains, and Meeting Satisfaction Within Technology-Supported Environments Small Group Research, February 1, 2007; 38(1): 156 - 194. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. S. Saunders and M. K. Ahuja Are All Distributed Teams the Same? Differentiating Between Temporary and Ongoing Distributed Teams Small Group Research, December 1, 2006; 37(6): 662 - 700. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. J. Best and B. S. Krueger Online Interactions and Social Capital: Distinguishing Between New and Existing Ties Social Science Computer Review, November 1, 2006; 24(4): 395 - 410. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Chidambaram and L. L. Tung Is Out of Sight, Out of Mind? An Empirical Study of Social Loafing in Technology-Supported Groups Information Systems Research, June 1, 2005; 16(2): 149 - 168. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. J. Hinds and M. Mortensen Understanding Conflict in Geographically Distributed Teams: The Moderating Effects of Shared Identity, Shared Context, and Spontaneous Communication Organization Science, May 1, 2005; 16(3): 290 - 307. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. A. Rains Leveling the Organizational Playing Field--Virtually: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Research Assessing the Impact of Group Support System Use on Member Influence Behaviors Communication Research, April 1, 2005; 32(2): 193 - 234. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. B. Walther, T. Loh, and L. Granka Let Me Count the Ways: The Interchange of Verbal and Nonverbal Cues in Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Affinity Journal of Language and Social Psychology, March 1, 2005; 24(1): 36 - 65. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Janssens and P. Zanoni Many diversities for many services: Theorizing diversity (management) in service companies Human Relations, March 1, 2005; 58(3): 311 - 340. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. M. Fiol and E. J. O'Connor Identification in Face-to-Face, Hybrid, and Pure Virtual Teams: Untangling the Contradictions Organization Science, January 1, 2005; 16(1): 19 - 32. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. L. Martins, L. L. Gilson, and M. T. Maynard Virtual Teams: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go From Here? Journal of Management, December 1, 2004; 30(6): 805 - 835. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. T. Fairhurst Textuality and Agency in Interaction Analysis Organization, May 1, 2004; 11(3): 335 - 353. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Vishwanath Manifestations of interpersonal trust in online interaction: A cross-cultural study comparing the differential utilization of seller ratings by eBay participants in Canada, France, and Germany New Media Society, April 1, 2004; 6(2): 219 - 234. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Y. Wang and D. R. Fesenmaier Modeling Participation in an Online Travel Community Journal of Travel Research, February 1, 2004; 42(3): 261 - 270. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Munter, P. S. Rogers, and J. Rymer Business E-mail: Guidelines for Users Business Communication Quarterly, January 1, 2003; 66(1): 26 - 40. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Weis, K. Stamm, C. Smith, M. Nilan, F. Clark, J. Weis, and K. Kennedy Communities of Care and Caring: The Case of MSWatch.com(R) J Health Psychol, January 1, 2003; 8(1): 135 - 148. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Topi, J. S. Valacich, and M. T. Rao The Effects of Personality and Media Differences on the Performance of Dyads Addressing a Cognitive Conflict Task Small Group Research, December 1, 2002; 33(6): 667 - 701. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Rasters, G. Vissers, and B. Dankbaar An Inside Look: Rich Communication Through Lean Media in a Virtual Research Team Small Group Research, December 1, 2002; 33(6): 718 - 754. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Zornoza, P. Ripoll, and J. M. Peiro Conflict Management in Groups that Work in Two Different Communication Contexts: Face-To-Face and Computer-Mediated Communication Small Group Research, October 1, 2002; 33(5): 481 - 508. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Y. Yoo, P. Kanawattanachai, and A. Citurs Forging into the Wired Wilderness: A Case Study of a Technology-Mediated Distributed Discussion-Based Class Journal of Management Education, April 1, 2002; 26(2): 139 - 163. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.-L. Sia, B. C. Y. Tan, and K.-K. Wei Group Polarization and Computer-Mediated Communication: Effects of Communication Cues, Social Presence, and Anonymity Information Systems Research, March 1, 2002; 13(1): 70 - 90. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. H. Spitzberg and G. Hoobler Cyberstalking and the technologies of interpersonal terrorism New Media Society, February 1, 2002; 4(1): 71 - 92. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. L. Maznevski and K. M. Chudoba Bridging Space Over Time: Global Virtual Team Dynamics and Effectiveness Organization Science, September 1, 2000; 11(5): 473 - 492. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. HAYTHORNTHWAITE Online Personal Networks: Size, Composition and Media Use among Distance Learners New Media Society, June 1, 2000; 2(2): 195 - 226. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. DeSanctis and P. Monge Introduction to the Special Issue: Communication Processes for Virtual Organizations Organization Science, November 1, 1999; 10(6): 693 - 703. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. L. Jarvenpaa and D. E. Leidner Communication and Trust in Global Virtual Teams Organization Science, November 1, 1999; 10(6): 791 - 815. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Burke, K. Aytes, L. Chidambaram, and J. J. Johnson A Study of Partially Distributed Work Groups: The Impact of Media, Location, and Time on Perceptions and Performance Small Group Research, August 1, 1999; 30(4): 453 - 490. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Yates, W. J. Orlikowski, and K. Okamura Explicit and Implicit Structuring of Genres in Electronic Communication: Reinforcement and Change of Social Interaction Organization Science, January 1, 1999; 10(1): 83 - 103. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. POSTMES, R. SPEARS, and M. LEA Breaching or Building Social Boundaries?: SIDE-Effects of Computer-Mediated Communication Communication Research, December 1, 1998; 25(6): 689 - 715. [Abstract]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. C. Y. Tan, K.-K. Wei, R. T. Watson, D. L. Clapper, and E. R. McLean Computer-Mediated Communication and Majority Influence: Assessing the Impact in an Individualistic and a Collectivistic Culture Management Science, September 1, 1998; 44(9): 1263 - 1278. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. B. WALTHER Computer-Mediated Communication: Impersonal, Interpersonal, and Hyperpersonal Interaction Communication Research, February 1, 1996; 23(1): 3 - 43. [Abstract]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
