The effects of text, audio, video, and in-person communication on bonding between friends

Considerable research on computer-mediated communication has examined online communication between strangers, but little is known about the emotional experience of connectedness between friends in digital environments. However, adolescents and emerging adults use digital communication primarily to communicate with existing friends rather than to make new connections. We compared feelings of emotional connectedness as they occurred in person and through digital communication among pairs of close friends in emerging adulthood. Fifty-eight young women, recruited in pairs of close friends, engaged in four conversations each: in-person, video chat, audio chat, and instant messaging (IM). Bonding in each condition was measured through both self-report and affiliation cues (i.e., nonverbal behaviors associated with the emotional experience of bonding). Participants reported feeling connected in all conditions. However, bonding, as measured by both self-report and affiliation cues, differed significantly across conditions, with the greatest bonding during in-person interaction, followed by video chat, audio chat, and IM in that order. Compared with other participants, those who used video chat more frequently reported greater bonding with friends through video chat in our study. Compared with other participants, those who spoke on the phone more frequently with their participating friend reported greater bonding during audio chat. Use of textual affiliation cues like emoticons, typed laughter, and excessive letter capitalization during IM related to increased bonding experience during IM. Nonetheless, a significantly lower level of bonding was experienced in IM compared with in-person communication. Because adolescent and emerging adults’ digital communication is primarily text-based, this finding has significant real-world implications.

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Social anxiety is associated with similar emotional impairments during digital and face-to-face communication in daily life

10.31234/osf.io/82hfw ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

James Doorley ◽

Kristina Volgenau ◽

Kerry Kelso ◽

Todd Barrett Kashdan ◽

Alexander J. Shackman

Keyword(s):

Social Anxiety ◽

Digital Communication ◽

Instant Messaging ◽

Online Communication ◽

Medium Study ◽

Reconstruction Method ◽

Communication Behaviors ◽

Face To Face ◽

Emotional Impairments ◽

Emotional Safety

Background:Retrospective studies have found that people with elevated social anxiety (SA) show a preference for digital/online communication, which may be due to perceptions of enhanced emotional safety. Whether these preferences for/benefits of digital compared to face-to-face communication manifest in the real world has yet to be explored. Methods: We recruited samples of college students (N = 125) and community adults (N = 303) with varying levels of SA, sampled their emotions during digital and face-to-face communication using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) (Study 1) and a day reconstruction method (DRM) (Study 2), and preregistered our hypotheses (https://osf.io/e4y7x/). Results: Results from both studies showed that SA did not predict the likelihood of engaging in digital compared to face-to-face communication, and SA was associated with less positive and more negative emotions regardless of communication medium. Study 2 also showed that whether digital communication was synchronous (e.g., in real time via phone/video chat) or asynchronous (e.g., texting/instant messaging) did not impact the association between SA and emotions. Limitations: EMA and DRM methods, despite their many advantages, may be suboptimal for assessing the occurrence of digital communication behaviors relative to more objective methods (e.g., passively collecting smartphone communication data). Using event-contingent responding may have also yielded more reports of digital communication, thus strengthening our power to detect small, cross-level interaction effects. Conclusions:These results challenge beliefs that digital/online communication provides a source of emotional safety for people with elevated SA and suggests a greater need to address SA-related emotional impairments across digital communication platforms.

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The use of visual icons and signs: investigating the punctuation of text by emoticons and communication clarity in online professional communication environments

10.32920/ryerson.14654634 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Georgia Marie Metcalfe

Keyword(s):

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Online Communication ◽

Professional Communication ◽

The Internet ◽

Sentence Structure ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Long Distance ◽

Global Networks ◽

Visual Semiotics ◽

Communication Environments

Computer mediated communication (CMC) is becoming increasingly prevalent and relied upon as the Internet facilitates the rapid growth of global networks and expands communication boarders. Today, many individuals rely on CMC for professional purposes, such as connecting long distance with co-workers to collaborate and advance workplace tasks. These individuals often rely on professional online collaborative programs that allow them to connect with colleagues across cities, provinces, and around the world. Relying on CMC for the transmittal of important electronic messages places it at the forefront for understanding how technical communication devices and networks function. This also requires an understanding of how ambiguity with online conversations can be decreased through the use of the Internet. However, what professional collaborative programs currently lack is a singular professional software that integrates both collaborative on-screen practices and online chatting capabilities with visual icons; or professional emoticons. The following research aims to investigate the communicative value of emoticons within a structured sentence via a study involving professional communication graduate students from Ryerson University and senior marketing communication professionals from a marketing agency in Toronto, Canada. Using concepts from critical visual methodology and a theoretical framework of visual semiotics, emoticons will be examined to see whether or not these pictorial symbols act in a similar fashion to punctuation symbols within a given sentence structure. The goal of this research was to investigate the use and meaning derived from emoticons in relation to grammatical punctuation for sentence structures in online communication environments. Specific emoticons were selected and used to measure participants‘ interpretation of each symbol within the particular context of a given sentence.

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Revitalizing Eastern and Western Online Communication: A Micro-Meso-Macro Link of Temporal Digital Change

The GLOCAL in Asia 2019 ◽

10.47298/cala2019.2-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Faust ◽

Keyword(s):

Chinese Culture ◽

Temporal Change ◽

Instant Messaging ◽

Online Communication ◽

Smart Devices ◽

Online Journalism ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Media Synchronicity ◽

Eastern Culture ◽

Pace Of Life

This paper explains in a de-westernized sense (Gunaratne, 2010) how internet-mediated communication changes the way we deal with and plan time both individually and culturally in Germany and China. Therefore, it blends Western and Eastern culture and media theories. The paper focuses on two distinct phenomena: temporal change due to social media, and Online journalism, as the core of Internet-mediated communication (for Germany 39% communication, media use 24% Projektgruppe ARD/ZDF-Multimedia, 2016; for China 90.7% instant messaging, 82% Internet news China Internet Network Information Center, 2017), with other temporal change via smart devices touched upon (Ash, 2018). General research on time in post modern societies, recently more focused on media’s temporal change phenomena (e.g. Barker, 2012; Barker, 2018; Castells, 2010; Eriksen, 2001; Hartmann, 2016; Hassan, 2003; Innis, 2004; Neverla, 2010a, 2010b; Nowotny, 1995; Rantanen, 2005; Wajcman, 2010; Wajcman and Dodd) has not yet linked the different societal and cultural levels of temporal change. Thus, we suggest the following to fill this research gap: For a micro perspective the notions of network theories (e.g. Granovetter, 1973; Schönhuth, 2013), media synchronicity (Dennis, Fuller, and Valacich, 2008) and the idea of permanent connectivity (Sonnentag, Reinecke, Mata, and Vorderer, 2018; van Dijck, 2013; Vorderer, Krömer, and Schneider, 2016) are linked. On a meso level, institutional change in Online journalism with a focus on acceleration is modeled (Ananny, 2016; Bødker and Sonnevend, 2017; Dimmick, Feaster, and Hoplamazian, 2011; Krüger, 2014; Neuberger, 2010). On a macro level, mediatization theory (Couldry and Hepp, 2017; Krotz, 2001, 2012) and recent acceleration theory (Rosa, 2005, 2012, 2017) is discussed. The levels are systematically linked suggesting a micro-meso-macro-link (Quandt, 2010) to then ask if and how many of the dimensions of the construct temporal understanding (Faust, 2016) can be changed through Internet-mediated communication. Temporal understanding consists of nine dimensions: General past, general future, instrumental experience (monochronicity), fatalism, interacting experience (polychronicity), pace of life, future as planned expectation and result of proximal goals as well as future as trust based interacting expectation and result of present positive behavior. Temporal understanding integrates the anthropological construct of polychronicity (Bluedorn, Kalliath, Strube, and Martin, 1999; Hall, 1984; Lindquist and Kaufman-Scarborough, 2007), pace of life (Levine, 1998) and temporal horizon (Klapproth, 2011) into a broader framework which goes beyond Western biased constructs through the theory driven incorporation of Confucian notions (Chinese Culture Connection, 1987). Finally, meta trends are laid out.

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Cyber Conflict and Management

Encyclopedia of Cyber Behavior ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-0315-8.ch089 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 1088-1095

Author(s):

Kumi Ishii ◽

Brittany R. Black

Keyword(s):

Daily Life ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Online Communication ◽

Future Research ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Research Directions ◽

Face To Face ◽

Computer Mediated ◽

Future Research Directions ◽

Cyber Conflict

With the diffusion of networked technology in our society, online communication has become an integral part of daily life, and conflict no longer occurs only in face-to-face (FtF) contexts. Many people experience cyber conflict (i.e., a perceived incompatibility of goals among two or more cyber parties over computer-mediated communication (CMC) or online communication) and manages it online. While research in this significant and emerged topic is scattered across contexts and disciplines, this chapter provides preliminary knowledge by discussing the antecedents and outcomes of cyber conflict as well as factors that affect cyber conflict management. The chapter also offers future research directions.

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Examining Online Communication

Mixed Methods Research for Improved Scientific Study - Advances in Knowledge Acquisition, Transfer, and Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0007-0.ch012 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 213-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michael G. Hughes ◽

Jennifer A. Griffith ◽

Cristina Byrne ◽

Darin S. Nei ◽

Lauren Harkrider Beechly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Methods ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Online Communication ◽

Qualitative Assessment ◽

Ethical Considerations ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽

Computer Mediated ◽

Means Of Measurement ◽

Computer Mediated Communications

Methods of individual communication continue to expand through online media. Given the dynamic nature of online communications, traditional methods for studying communications may not suffice. A hybridized content analytic approach that combines qualitative and quantitative methods offers a unique methodological tool to researchers who seek to better understand computer-mediated communications and the psychological characteristics of those who communicate online by evaluating qualitative information using quantitative methods. This means of measurement allows researchers to statistically evaluate whether investigated phenomena are occurring in combination with the richness that qualitative assessment provides. As with any approach to computer-mediated communication, various ethical considerations must be borne in mind, and, thus, are discussed in concert with this hybridized approach to content analysis.

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Motivation and Learning Outcomes in Reciprocal SCMC Language-Learning

International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching ◽

10.4018/ijcallt.2016040102 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 19-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

David Brown

Keyword(s):

Language Learning ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Reciprocal Learning ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Face To Face ◽

Language Tests ◽

French Speaking ◽

Oral Expression

In reciprocal learning, learners of different mother tongues are paired so that each can help the other learn their language. Developments in ICT have broadened the possibilities for reciprocal learning, enabling synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC). This study focuses on 48 French-speaking learners paired with 48 British students. Each pair worked synchronously and quasi-autonomously on communication activities in a real-time, quasi-face-to-face environment via Skype. This article reports on the pedagogical potential of the above SCMC scheme. The data discussed are drawn from a quantitative study carried out during the scheme. Two instruments were used for data-collection during the investigation: a self-report questionnaire on motivation, and a battery of language tests completed after the SCMC encounters had taken place. The same tests were also taken by a control group (N=48). The findings suggest that SCMC improves oral expression and interactivity in that it helps learners to enhance language confidence and language knowledge gains.

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Talking a team into being in online workplace collaborations: The discourse of virtual work

Discourse Studies ◽

10.1177/1461445619829240 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 237-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Erika Darics ◽

Maria Cristina Gatti

Keyword(s):

Virtual Work ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Online Communication ◽

Real Life ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Virtual Team ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Team Members ◽

Discourse Practices ◽

Computer Mediated

Digital communication technologies led to a revolution in how people interact at work: relying on computer-mediated communication technologies is now a must, rather than an alternative. This empirical study investigates how colleagues in a virtual team use synchronous online communication platform in the workplace. Inspired by the conceptualisation of web-based communication platforms as tool, place or context of social construction, we explore the discursive strategies that contribute to the construction of the team’s shared sense of purpose and identity, a collegial atmosphere and consequently lead to effective collaboration. The close analyses of real-life data from a multinational workplace provide insights into the everyday communication practices of virtual team members. Our findings supplement organisational literature based on etic observations of the effectiveness of virtual work and provide a basis for further theorisations about how communication technologies affect the ecology of and discourse practices in computer-mediated communication at work.

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The systematization and typology of the instant messaging writing system used by young Israeli Arabs

Written Language & Literacy ◽

10.1075/wll.11.1.04hab ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 35-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sandy Habib ◽

Dennis Kurzon

Keyword(s):

Instant Messaging ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Writing System ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Computer Mediated ◽

Israeli Arabs ◽

Roman Script

This study investigates a new writing system based on the Roman script that has been used by Israeli Arabs in Israel for about ten years. This system is associated with instant messaging (IM); people usually use it when sending SMSs or when utilizing any of the computer-mediated communication forms, such as Messenger. The paper focuses on the systematization and the typology of this writing system based on data collected from about 40 participants studying in the same school. The results show that most of the participants have used this system systematically, and that this system can be classified as a developing alphabet.

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Swearing, moral order, and online communication

Journal of Language Aggression and Conflict ◽

10.1075/jlac.00005.jay ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 107-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Timothy Jay

Keyword(s):

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Online Communication ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Moral Order ◽

Emotional Speech ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Internet Behavior ◽

Computer Mediated ◽

Interpersonal Characteristics ◽

Opening Section

Abstract This paper addresses problems with swearing on the internet. The opening section of the paper defines swearing (uttering offensive emotional speech) as a ubiquitous form of impolite human behavior. Swearing can occur wherever humans communicate with each other and that it appears in computer-mediated communication (CMC) is not surprising. The second section documents how swearwords appear in email, blogs, Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube and in other practices and sites (trolling, 4chan). Swearword use is situated in the context of emerging research on impoliteness and moral order (politeness norms and standards that govern internet behavior). Online swearword use is a function of moral order, as well as users’ interpersonal characteristics such as age (younger more likely than older users), gender (men more likely than women), the time of day (later in the day and evening), and a website’s social composition (adversarial and male dominated more than homogeneous friendly sites). The paper concludes with suggestions for dealing with internet swearword use where regulation is desirable and feasible. Websites and communities should develop moral order norms that at a minimum restrict illegal forms of speech (e.g., credible threats of violence, workplace sexual harassment).

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Through a Screen Darkly: Use of Computer-Mediated Communication Predicts Emotional Functioning

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294119859779 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 123 (6) ◽

pp. 2305-2332 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah Myruski ◽

Jean M. Quintero ◽

Samantha Denefrio ◽

Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Emotional Functioning ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Emotion Detection ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Face To Face ◽

Computer Mediated ◽

Facebook Use

Despite the pervasive use of computer-mediated communication, relatively little is known about its implications for emotional adjustment. Recent studies suggest that a preference for computer-mediated communication over other types of communication is associated with emotional vulnerabilities, and its active forms (e.g., direct communication) confer psychosocial benefits compared its passive forms (e.g., browsing Facebook). In this study, we simultaneously examined quality, quantity, and preferences for computer-mediated communication in relation to emotional competencies (emotion detection and regulation) and emotional well-being (self-report of mood and anxiety symptoms). In Study 1, participants ( N = 123) completed a facial morphing task, a computerized assessment of the speed and accuracy of emotion detection, and the Social Media and Communication Questionnaire assessing quantity and preferences to communicate via computer-mediated communication versus face-to-face. More use of computer-mediated communication along with preferring it for casual communication, was associated with faster and more accurate emotion detection. More use of computer-mediated communication, along with preferring it for positive communication and expressing distress, was associated with more difficulties with emotion regulation. Study 2 ( N = 32) added a task-based assessment of active and passive Facebook use in relation to measures of emotional functioning in Study 1. More active Facebook use was associated with greater emotional well-being, whereas more passive Facebook use was associated with less emotional well-being. Active and passive Facebook use was not significantly associated with self-report of broader computer-mediated communication preferences. Together, results suggest that greater use and preference for computer-mediated versus face-to-face communication may be related to heightened emotional sensitivity and more problems with emotion regulation, yet active versus passive use may serve to bolster emotional well-being.

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