Relational Communication in Computer-Mediated Interaction

TLDR

Computer‑mediated communication is thought to depersonalize interactions due to missing nonverbal cues, yet prior studies have overlooked temporal and developmental aspects of relational development. The study examined how time and communication channel (asynchronous computer conferencing versus face‑to‑face meetings) affect relational communication in groups. Data were collected from 96 participants in zero‑history groups of three, who completed three tasks over several weeks, comparing computer conferencing and face‑to‑face conditions. Computer‑mediated groups improved relational dimensions to levels comparable with face‑to‑face groups, supporting uncertainty‑reduction and social‑penetration principles and prompting revisions to prevailing computer‑mediated communication theories.

Abstract

This study involved an experiment of the effects of time and communication channel—asynchronous computer conferencing versus face-to-face meetings—on relational communication in groups. Prior research on the relational aspects of computer-mediated communication has suggested strong depersonalizing effects of the medium due to the absence of nonverbal cues. Past research is criticized for failing to incorporate temporal and developmental perspectives on information processing and relational development. In this study, data were collected from 96 subjects assigned to computer conferencing or face-to-face zero-history groups of 3, who completed three tasks over several weeks'time. Results showed that computer-mediated groups increased in several relational dimensions to more positive levels and that these subsequent levels approximated those of face-to-face groups. Boundaries on the predominant theories of computer-mediated communication are recommended, and principles from uncertainty reduction and social penetration are discussed.