A longitudinal experiment on relational tone in computer-mediated and face to face interaction

Author

Walther, Joseph B.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Commun., Oklahoma Univ., Norman, OK, USA

Volume

iv

fYear

1992

fDate

7-10 Jan 1992

Firstpage

220

Abstract

Prior experiments on computer-mediated communication have suggested depersonalizing effects of the medium, while field studies report warmer personal relations. Past research is criticized for failing to incorporate temporal and developmental perspectives on social information processing and relational development, and for omitting nonverbal cues in comparisons between conditions. 192 coders evaluated relational communication of 16 computer-mediated and 16 traditional groups over time. Mediated groups exhibited greater intimacy and social-orientation than did face-to-face groups. Boundaries on previous theories of computer-mediated communication are recommended, and research using temporal and nonverbal variables is suggested

Keywords

groupware; human factors; computer-mediated communication; depersonalizing effects; developmental perspectives; face to face interaction; intimacy; longitudinal experiment; nonverbal cues; relational tone; social information processing; social-orientation; temporal variables; Computer mediated communication; Computer peripherals; Context; Data analysis; Decision making; Design methodology; Information processing; Marine vehicles; Problem-solving; Time measurement;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

System Sciences, 1992. Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth Hawaii International Conference on

Conference_Location

Kauai, HI

Print_ISBN

0-8186-2420-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/HICSS.1992.183433

Filename

183433