1. Interpersonal Communication and social media
Chapter 2
Interpersonal Communication
Tamara Arrington

2. Interpersonal Dynamics Online
Speed
the time it takes to send and receive messages
Anonymity
refers to identities created online, claiming to be someone you are not
Interactivity
the ability of online participants to not only receive messages, but to react to them
Regard
to be acknowledged as an individual

3. Interpersonal Dynamics Online
Leanness or Richness
Availability of nonverbal cues to clarify meaning
Synchronous or Asynchronous
Real-time or time delay
Pros and cons?
Permanence
How long something exists and can be saved and stored
Regard
to be acknowledged as an individual

4. Consequences
Disinhibition – more honesty, less caution and self-monitoring. What are the pros and cons?
Hyperpersonal –accelerated discussion of personal topics and relational development beyond what normally happens face- to-face
More relational opportunities – online dating, virtual communities, online support groups, education, benefits for those who are shy

5. Online Dating and Relationships
One study found that both men and women lied online, but for different reasons;
Women lied to protect themselves from men and men lied to protect their true identity so they could take greater risks with emotions online;

6. Online Dating and Relationships
In online relationships, a person may think they know the other well, due to limited information
Much of the relationship is created in the mind, to fill in for missing information

7. SUSTAINING & ENRICHING RELATIONSHIPS
Texting – teens age – average 60 texts per day
97% of texts are opened vs. only 22% of s
Facebook – What are the “rules” for use so you don’t jeopardize a relationship?
Blogs – called “masspersonal” (inform everyone via a single blog)
Skype and FaceTime - could interactions via these social media be even MORE effective than face-to-face (i.e. truly focusing on each other)

8. DRAWBACKS
Superficial relationships – How many Facebook friends are truly friends? How many Twitter followers or those you follow?
“Dunbar’s number” : We can only maintain about 150 relationships (10-15 close friends/family…circle of 35 strong contacts...+/- 100 with other meaningful connections)
When is the last time you had a deep, meaningful, or transformative discussion over social media?

9. SOCIAL ISOLATION
Correlation between lonliness and PREFERENCE for online social interaction
Can stem from a lack of interpersonal skills
Self-efficacy can grow with successful online interaction and positive feedback online
HOWEVER these people can feel confirmed and respected online and yet disconfirmed offline

10. OTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEMS…
Relational deterioration: a partner spending inordinate amounts of time online , the mere presence of mobile devices can hurt face-to-face interaction
Facebook use has emerged as a new predictor of divorce rate and spousal troubles. Why?
Deception: “Catfishing” Has any one seen the TV show?
Online surveillance, cyberstalking, cyberbullying (peaks in MIDDLE SCHOOL)

11. Will Online Interpersonal Communication Enhance or REDUCE Human Relationships?
Online relationships often include fantasy, stereotypical, idealized images
Will time online substitute for other forms of communication?

12. Enhancement or Attenuation
One study finds that the Internet intensifies dispositions toward sociability or community involvement (DiMaggio, Hargittai, Neuman, and Robinson (2001);
Another study finds that use of the Internet is influenced by local culture and power relations (Wheeler, 2001);

13. Social Uses of the Internet
To meet people and create relationships
To enhance relationships with family and friends
To maintain long-distance relationships

14. SOCIAL SUPPORT Parenting advice Marital problems Substance Abuse
Suicide Prevention
Coping with acts of violence
Connecting with others with similar health problems (20% of Internet users)

15. Some Effects of Interpersonal Communication Online
Computer-mediated communication is similar to face- to-face communication, and may even affect how people communicate face-to-face
There is often a casual sense of play in Internet communication
There are often paradoxes associated with Internet communication
Certain aspects of communication are intensified by Internet use

16. Effects of Speed, Reach, Anonymity, Regard and Interactivity
We expect our communication technologies to be fast
We are becoming obsessed with efficiency
In spite of all the speed in communication technologies, many people feel they are running on a treadmill and cannot keep up with all that is coming at them

17. Reach
In addition to your ability to reach others, reach also means that you can be reached just about anytime, anywhere
The sense of constant connectedness, the speed of our messages, and the difficulty of keeping up with all the information reaching us, causes people to feel nervous and frustrated—to feel rage at times

18. Flaming
Flaming refers to harsh language directed at an individual online
The lack of social cues online due to the fact that generally we cannot see one another online, may contribute to flaming
With reduced feedback, it is speculated, we can project our own hopes and fears
The reduction in social cues may account for a tendency to be more disinhibited online, both in self disclosure and in aggression (the “disinhibition effect”)

19. Interactivity
Interactivity refers to the ability to respond to messages so as to give feedback, e.g., flaming may be seen as expressing anger in speaking back;

20. Anonymity
Not being identified as your self, or believing you are not identified as your self
Some speculate that anonymity enhances the chances of expressing anger online—e.g., flaming

21. Influence on Family
Families are affected by the Internet and the way they communicate on the Internet
The computer appears to affect different family members differently
Family members use the computer for entertainment, escape, habit, and to pass time

22. What ARE WE TO DO?
Respect others’ need for undivided attention (i.e. put the phone away)
Keep your tone civil
Don’t intrude on bystanders
Think before you post
Verify what you see online
Balance mediated and “face time”