1. Social Information Processing Theory
Of Joseph Walther
Presented by Hannah Scheffler

2. Definition and Author
“parties who meet online can develop relationships just as close as those formed face-to-face—though it takes longer” (A-2)
“relationships grow only to the extent that parties first gain information about each other and use that information to form interpersonal impressions of who they are” (139)
Joseph Walther professor at Michigan State University
Walther received Woolbert Award from the National Communication Association in 2002 for SIP theory published in 1992

3. Claim and Basis SIP based on computer-mediated communication (CMC)
“text-based messages, which filter out most non-verbal cues”
Related to social penetration theory (ch. 9) and uncertainty reduction theory (ch. 10)
SIP claims that “CMC users can get to know each other and develop a mutual affinity by using the medium’s available cues to manage their relational development” (144)
Affinity—how people express liking
Example: A Cinderella Story

4. Contrast to SIP Cues filtered out (CFO) opposite approach to CMC
Claims that CMC’s “lack of non-verbal cues [is] a fatal flaw for using the medium for relationship development” (139)
SIP claims that CMC users can equal the communication of FTF
Relationships can develop based on linguistic content alone
Takes 4x longer

5. Factors of Internet Intimacy
Anticipated future interaction—likelihood of future interaction motivates CMC users to develop relationships
Chronemic cues—CMC users can check time messages are sent
Can indicate various things for different relationships

6. Hyperpersonal Perspective
“CMC relationships are often more intimate tha[n] those developed when partners are physically together” (144)
Possible contributors:
Selective self-perception
Lack of attribution
Asynchronous channel
Example: You’ve Got Mail

7. Critique
SIP says CMC relationships develop at slower rate than FTF, studies show same or faster
Walther points out SIP does not consider differences in affiliation drive
Theory does not account for people to take CMC to FTF

8. Let Me Count the Ways: The Interchange of Verbal and Nonverbal Cues in Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Affinity
Joseph B. Walther, Tracy Loh, Laura Granka
Journal of Language and Social Psychology, vol. 24,
no. 1, March 2005
Tests SIP theory assumption CMC users able to express affinity same as those FTF
Hypotheses:
One-“Immediacy and affection are affected more by communicators’ social motivations than by computer-mediated or face-to-face channels” (42).
Two-”Greater proportions of the variance in immediacy and affection are attributable to verbal behavior in CMC than to verbal behavior in FTF” (42).

9. Results: Importance Hypothesis One supported
Motivation to express affinity varied according to intended emotional expression and not because of communication method
Hypothesis Two supported for immediacy
CMC users gain more affect for verbal behavior than FTF
FTF rely more on nonverbal cues
Importance
Missing cues differentiate CMC from FTF
Affinity issues may be readily translatable from one cue system to another

10. An Analysis of Socioemotional and Task Communication in Online Multiplayer Video Games
Jorge Peña, Jeffrey T. Hancock
Communication Research, vol. 33, no. 1, February 2006
Tests SIP and CFO in recreational CMC
Example: Star Wars Jedi Knight II Jedi Outcast
Hypotheses:
1b-”Online video game participants will produce more socioemotional than task communication” (97).
2b-”Online video game participants will produce more positive socioemotional than negative socioemotional communication” (97).
3-”More experienced online video game participants will express more socioemotional communication than less experienced participants” (98).
4-”More experienced online video game participants will use CMC conventions more frequently than less experienced participants” (98).

11. Results: Hypothesis 1b supported (SIP theory)
“participants produced significantly more socioemotional than task communication” (101)
Hypothesis 2b supported (SIP theory)
“participants produced a significantly larger proportion of positive socioemotional than negative socioemotional communication” (101)
Hypothesis 3 not supported
No more or less socioemotional communication between more experienced and less experienced participants
Hypothesis 4 supported
More experienced, more use of specialized conventions (i.e. emoticons, emotes, abbreviations)

12. Importance Expanded understanding of recreational CMC usage
SIP theory predictions proven, CFO not
In relation to SIP, experience is key factor in message encoding
By proving SIP assumptions in online gaming, suggests SIP can be generalized across many forms of mediated communication

13. ‘I’ve never clicked this much with anyone in my life’: trust and hyperpersonal communication in online friendships
Samantha Henderson, Michael Gilding
New Media & Society, vol. 6, no. 4, 2004
Explore the element of trust in CMC
Hypothesis:
Trust is not as likely to occur online as face-to-face due to the anonymity

14. Results:
CMC users more likely to elaborate on subject of self-discloser that FTF (i.e. more likely to be hyperpersonal)
Problems for trust online:
Limited cues
Lack of accountability
Scope for deceit and betrayal
Advantages for trust online:
Limited cues ‘fast-tracked’ self-disclosure
Asynchronous communication
Lack of accountability created opportunities
Importance
Know limitations and opportunities for relationship development in CMC

15. Exam Question
One of the critiques of SIP theory is that it does not address how to go about taking CMC to FTF; how could this issue be addressed?