People have different choices when seeking information about others depending on how well-known the target is and whether they want to remain anonymous. When looking for information about someone lesser known, individuals prefer channels that maintain anonymity, while well-known targets lead people to use identifiable channels. Additionally, social networking tools are popular for both anonymous and identifiable information seeking due to their versatility.

1. How do people really seek information about others?: Information seeking across Internet & traditional communication channels By Westerman, D., Van DerHeide, B., Klein, K. A., & Walther, J. B. (2008). Presented by Lynne Watanabe

2. What channels + choices do I make?

3. think about your TARGET anonymous Non-anonymous Lesser known

4. first …but

5. URT Uncertainty Reduction Theory

6. …sorry for the onion analogy

7. Subsequent research shown to expand URT to dating relationship

8. You’ve Got… Just one channel

9. ICT Succession Theory(Info. Comm. Tech) at WorkStephens 2007

10. Game Time!

11. Study Conclusions: Indiv. more likely to use channels which allow them to maintain anonymity when seeking info about a less-known target. When seeking info about ‘well-known’ target, indiv. is more likely to use channels which can ID them. Social Networking Tools are fav. for both ID & unID.

13. Slide 7 from http://www.newzonfire.com/connected.htmlPresentation by: Lynne Watanabe Credits: