Media Multiplexity Theory

Question 1

What is media multiplicity theory?

Answer 1

The stronger the relational tie we have with a person, the more media we use with that person. It considers how information flows through network

Question 2

What is tie strength?

Answer 2

Determined by amount of time spent together, emotional intensity and intimacy, and willingness to exchange resources

Question 3

What are weak ties and strong ties?

Answer 3

Weak- a relationship involving a small investment in time and emotional energy, such as acquaintance
- Can be bridging ties, connecting us to new information and contacts (I know a guy who knows a guy)
Strong- involving a large investment of time and emotional energy, such as a very close friend
- Have redundant information (same people, same advice)

Question 4

What is media multiply

Answer 4

Strongly tied pairs use more media to sustain their relationships that do weakly tied pairs

Question 5

What are the 5 propositions of media multiplexity?

Answer 5

1. Tie strength is positively associated with media multiplicity (Strong tied pairs use more media)
2. Communication content differs by the strengths rather than by medium (text message vs FaceTime)
3. Tie strength and media use cause each other over time (cyclical)
4. Changes in the media landscape particularly influence weak ties (sometimes we lose the ability to communicate through a channel; ex pandemic; strong ties can withstand the loss of a medium, tend to communicate through several media)
5. Groups have hierarchies of media use expectations (shape interpersonal groups as well as organizational ones)

Question 6

What does Turks say about conversation, intimacy, and empathy?

Answer 6

Conversations happen more over the phone than face-to-face which impacts intimacy because people have lots of “friends” on social media but little real ones and aren’t connecting on an intimate level. People can also only get empathy face-to-face in order to understand the world from another persons eyes. We live in a. world where people speak less and less and he says this is because of phones.