Online Disinhibition Effect
Communication & Technology Computer - Mediated Communication Computer - mediated communication (CMC) = any human communication achieved through computer or internet technology Computer - Mediated Communication “The increasing use of texting is evidence of a MAJOR TRANSITION in our communication culture, shifting from communicating synchronously (in real time, such as talking in person or on the phone) to communicating asynchronously (with a delay, such as texting or emailing). It has fundamentally reconfigured the way we interact with each other” (The Gravitate Research Group, 2015,p. 8) Computer - Mediated Communication “The increasing use of texting is evidence of a MAJOR TRANSITION in our communication culture, shifting from communicating synchronously (in real time, such as talking in person or on the phone) to communicating asynchronously (with a delay, such as texting or emailing). It has fundamentally reconfigured the way we interact with each other” (The Gravitate Research Group, 2015,p. 8) Reflection:
Do you agree? How has text -based comm fundamentally changed the way we interact with each other? Advantages of CMC (Romiszowski and Mason) What are some advantages of CMC? 1. Connects geographically dispersed individuals 2. Offers flexibility 3. Combines permanent nature of written comm. with the speed and dynamism of oral comm. Digital comm. as a mixed modality (Baym ) 4. Asynchronous CMC allows for greater reflection 5. Has egalitarian potential Limitations of CMC Reduced cues environment Limits nonverbal communication Offers more potential for deception Offers more potential for misunderstandings Encourages flaming Online Disinhibition Effect (Suler , 2004) Tendency for people to say and do things in Cyberspace that they would not ordinarily say and do in face - to - face encounters Reduced concern for self -presentation and the judgment of others Factors that contribute to online disinhibition:
Anonymity, invisibility, asynchronicity , and minimization of authority Online Disinhibition Effect (Suler , 2004) Tendency for people to say and do things in Cyberspace that they would not ordinarily say and do in face - to - face encounters Reduced concern for self -presentation and the judgment of others Factors that contribute to online disinhibition:
Anonymity, invisibility, asynchronicity, and minimization of authority Online Disinhibition Effect (Suler , 2004) Reflection In what ways can online disinhibition be problematic? In what ways can it be positive and/or helpful? Toxic disinhibition vs. benign disinhibition Social Media & the Cost of Caring Does the use of social media, mobile phones, and the internet cause higher levels of stress? Why or why not? Social Media and the Cost of Caring The Pew Research Center surveyed 1,801 adults about their frequency of social media use and the extent to which they felt their life was stressful Perceived Stress Scale – measures how overloaded, unpredictable, and uncontrollable people perceive their life to be They also examined the extent to which social media use makes people aware of distressing events in the lives of their close friends, family members, and distance acquaintances. Social Media and the Cost of Caring What were the results? Does social media use cause higher levels of stress? 1. Overall, frequent internet and social media users do not have higher levels of stress. 2. However, for some people, the use of social media increases awareness of stressful events in the lives of others. Social Media and the Cost of Caring Does social media use cause higher levels of stress ? 1. For some, the use of social media increases awareness of stressful events in the lives of others . • “ Cost of caring” – the users who do feel more stress are those whose use of technology is tied to higher level of awareness of distressing events in others’ lives Social Media & the Cost of Caring: TAKEAWAY The information transferred on social media leads to awareness of all kinds of extra things, including the awareness of others’ distressing events. This awareness of undesirable events in others’ lives generates a COST in terms of increasing psychological stress Online Dating Online dating is losing its stigma 59% of Americans agree that online dating is a good way to meet people Why was (is) online dating stigmatized? What are the pros & cons? What Makes Online Dating Successful? Online daters tend to engage in two processes:
1. Selective Self - Presentation (SSP) 2. Warranting What Makes Online Dating Successful? Online daters tend to engage in two processes:
1. Selective Self - Presentation (SSP) ▪ Conveying a desired impression to others ▪ The tendency for people to highlight positive information that makes them most desirable ▪ They don’t blatantly lie, but they embellish/brag What Makes Online Dating Successful? Online daters tend to engage in two processes:
1. Warranting ▪ Information with warranting value cannot be easily altered or falsified ▪ Links to blogs, personal websites, or other verifiable sources ▪ Specific information (5’8” instead of “average height”) ▪ Multiple photographs What Makes Online Dating Successful? 316 online daters viewed 4 different profile types:
High SSP & High Warranting High SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & High Warranting Participants were asked to rate the following for each of the 4 profiles: trustworthiness, social attraction, intention to date, and desire to contact profile owner What Makes Online Dating Successful? Which profiles were favored most by participants?
High SSP & High Warranting High SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & High Warranting What Makes Online Dating Successful? Which profiles were favored most by participants?
High SSP & High Warranting High SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & High Warranting • Why do you think online daters preferred the LOW SSP profiles? What Makes Online Dating Successful? The HIGH SSP profiles were favored the least:
High SSP & High Warranting High SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & Low Warranting Low SSP & High Warranting Viewers judged people who bragged about themselves, their looks, or their accomplishments too much as less trustworthy and less socially attractive, thereby lessening their intentions to date or contact the profile owner. What Makes Online Dating Successful? The HIGH SSP profiles were favored the least:
High SSP & High Warranting – arrogant & immodest Low SSP & Low Warranting – honest, humble, & approachable Braggers don’t get dates! The Humblebrag Social media and online technologies have greatly contributed to the rise and popularity of the humblebrag Humblebragging = to make a seemingly modest, self -critical, or casual statement or reference that is meant to draw attention to one's admirable or impressive qualities or achievements (Merriam - Webster’s definition) Making a deliberate , direct reference to an achievement, but then playing it down by either by adding a perspective that belittles it or juxtaposing it with some other, more mundane aspect of their lives . The Humblebrag The Humblebrag The Humblebrag The Humblebrag The Humblebrag Negatively correlated with sincerity, competence, and trust Employers view humblebraggers as untrustworthy What’s your greatest weakness ? “ I’m too much of a perfectionist and it’s so exhausting.” THE POINT: Employers have seen a rise in the humblebrag (likely due to its prevalence on social media), and most would prefer employees and interviewees to provide more genuine responses about their weaknesses and failures! Today’s Takeaways Technology has (and continues) to change how we communicate and live our lives CMC has advantages and disadvantages Important to be aware of these and use CMC in responsible, mature, and productive ways Must be careful about how we present ourselves online and via text (text - messaging & email) Freebie Exam Question! The tendency for people to say and do things in Cyberspace that they would not normally do in face -to face encounters is referred to as the:
a. Online dishonesty effect b. Online disinhibition effect c. Internet impulsivity effect d. Internet disclosure effect
