Self‐disclosure in computer‐mediated communication: The role of self‐awareness and visual anonymity

TLDR

Computer‑mediated communication is characterized by high levels of self‑disclosure. The authors investigated how visual anonymity and manipulations of private versus public self‑awareness via video‑conferencing cameras and accountability cues influence self‑disclosure in CMC. Across three studies, computer‑mediated communication produced higher spontaneous self‑disclosure than face‑to‑face, visual anonymity increased disclosure, and heightened private self‑awareness combined with reduced public self‑awareness further amplified disclosure. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract Three studies examined the notion that computer‐mediated communication (CMC) can be characterised by high levels of self‐disclosure. In Study One, significantly higher levels of spontaneous self‐disclosure were found in computer‐mediated compared to face‐to‐face discussions. Study Two examined the role of visual anonymity in encouraging self‐disclosure during CMC. Visually anonymous participants disclosed significantly more information about themselves than non‐visually anonymous participants. In Study Three, private and public self‐awareness were independently manipulated, using video‐conferencing cameras and accountability cues, to create a 2 × 2 design public self‐awareness (high and low)×private self‐awareness (high and low). It was found that heightened private self‐awareness, when combined with reduced public self‐awareness, was associated with significantly higher levels of spontaneous self‐disclosure during computer‐mediated communication. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.