FOCS Computer Mediated Communication Flashcards
1
Q
The birth of Computer Mediated Communication
A
- First there was a computer
- Then came connection (two computers were connected for the first time)
- First message sent on computers is LO
- Thus, starting of CMC → Once connected, people started to communicate
- The early CMC research is based on limited and not as prevalent technology
2
Q
Definition of CMC being based on “text based messages” is wrong as it can be based on video or other modalities
A
- CMC filter out non verbal cues → Use other form of tools (GIF) to communicate non verbal cues
3
Q
A
- Micronet 800
- Using phone to dial in computer to Micronet 800 magazine
- Fulfil function of magazine with interpersonal communication. Email and chats are not mass communication tools
4
Q
Bulletin Board System (BBS)
A
- Grandfather of social media
- Host machine, where everyone dials into the base computer that filters people based on interests
- BBS relies on one-on-one communication between my computer and host computer (certain topic)
- ISP is communication between my computer and any computer (all topic)
5
Q
Cues-Filtered-Out perspective of CMC
A
- Predominant perspective in early CMC research
- Focus what on the technology itself
- Pay attention to the missing cues in CMC
- Social Presence Theory
- Media Richness Theory
6
Q
Social Presence Theory
A
- Idea is degree of salience of the other person in the interaction → Salience is about the other interactant → Degree of how the other interactant is salient in the theory
- Low bandwidth (proxy for less richer forms of media) leads to low social presence
- More, more, more presence of the other person = The better because warmer communication ***
7
Q
Central Claims of SPT
A
- Communication media vary in its capacity to transmit cues
- Social Media Message vs Phone Call
- Less cues transmitted = Will have Less presence in communication context = Less warmth and involvement perceived
- Low Bandwidth
- Low Social Presence
- Impersonal Communication (Feels very cold, not warm)
- CMC is always impersonal compared to face to face
8
Q
Media Richness Theory
A
- Focus on the richness of medium itself. Presence of the other interactant
- Needs a match between situation and medium ***
9
Q
MRT Centers around
A
- Centers around the “richness” construct
- Numbers of cues → Immediacy of feedback, Potential for natural language and Potential for personalisation
- Face to Face (Rich)
- CMC (Lean)
- Polar End → Richer vs Leaner
- Chatting is richer than Email. Chatting → Reply immediately. Email → Not as fast (Immediacy of feedback)
- Language of art, non verbal language, Code of 010101 (Potential for natural language) → Some may argue using texts like singlish (informal), has more natural language than email (formal) → More natural language is richer medium
- Potential for personalisation → Allow you to tailor messages specifically → Later on scholars agree this topic is not as important because all mediums allows one to do so
10
Q
MRT Central Claims
A
- Match between equivocality of message situation (below) and richness of medium (above) produces best outcomes
- Equivocal Communication → Message trying to convey is open to many interpretations → This needs richer medium
- Eg. Unhappy with spouse, difficult conversations, needs a richer medium such as F2F
- Unequivocal Communication → Straightforward (Is there exam tomorrow? This can use leaner communication)
11
Q
Facts about MRT
A
- Text can make us feel very warm despite the absence of cues
- Text can be the place where the most intense fights occur
- A change in perspective from
- technology-centred approach
- to communication-process approach
- Why this shift in perspective?
- More complicate use of communication techniques
- Could not keep up with tech developments
12
Q
SIDE
A
- Visual Anonymity, Deindividuation, Group Identification and Group Dynamics
- Focus on visual anonymity
- Deindividuation → Lack qualities that makes you a unique individual → Become a zombie
- Visual anonymity strips individuals of unique qualities
- Act differently void of person qualities
- Users act based on groups. As individuals lack individual qualities, they act as part of a group “racial identifiers, school identifiers” → Group Identification
- Groups dynamics → Act like your part of a homogenous group instead of individually
13
Q
Consequences of SIDE
A
- Only “us” and them”
- No “me” and “you”
- CMC is good for task-oriented communication
- CMC is not good for interpersonal relationship building
- Theory used to explain situations with negative consequences motivated by group based mentality
- Eg Cyberbullying/Trolling
- However, CMC tends to show some details about ourselves. Visual anonymity is not relevant today as we can see person’s profile (Facebook photo)
- But these details do not give a full clear picture of who the person is
14
Q
Deindividuation in SIDE
A
- Deindividuation may not be as applicable too because when a person gives more information about themselves, we get a sensing on who they are as a person
- But then again, we still do not have the full clear picture
- We are no longer under the realm of SIDE when more information of an individual is given out → Giving a glimpse on the person is
- This necessitates another theory to explain the limitations of SIDE theory
15
Q
Social Information Processing
A
- Assumptions
- Nonverbal cues are missing in CMC
- Communications motivated to develop impressions and affinity
- When nonverbal cues are unavailable , communicators adapt and focus on available cues in CMC
- Other theories forgot the motivation aspect of an individual and will adapt to the situation → Meet needs and form an impression
- Focus on what is available rather than what’s not available online
