Communication & New Technologies Chapter Computer Mediated Communication • Digital refers to information that has been translated into a numerical code using the numbers one and zero. • Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) can be transmitted over the Internet/Cyberspace - a technological network system that relays information between computers worldwide. • The World Wide Web (WWW) is a service that functions to move information through Internet technology. • Common computer mediated communication technologies include: e-mail, blogs, bulletin board systems, chats, MMOGS, instant messages, short-messaging service (SMS) or text messages, social networking sites (SNS), and twitter Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) • CMC is pervasive & changes how we communicate with others. • CMC technology is rapidly expanding & has been quickly adopted by communicators. • CMC is used daily in many ways, including: emails and instant messages, finding and sharing information, entertainment, and financial transactions. • Blogs are electronic journals that are created and maintained by individuals in order to share information and opinions. • Podcasts are electronic recordings that are made available using technology so that individuals can transfer the information to personal listening devices. CMC & Personal Relationships • The media deficit approach - CMC communication lacks immediacy and rich message cues compared to face-to-face resulting in deficient or lower quality communication. • CMC is filtered because it lacks nonverbal cues that are important in message interpretation. • CMC lacks psychological closeness individuals feel during face-to-face interactions. • Media richness theory notes that various types of media channels have different capacities for carrying verbal and nonverbal message information. Face to face communication is richest medium for communication. CMC channels of email, texts & tweets are the least rich medium for communicatiom. Media Augmentation • The media augmentation approach contends that individuals use CMC communication to complement or add to face-to-face communication. • Individuals can use prior relationship information to interpret CMC interactions that do not include nonverbal information. • Asynchronous communication can allow individuals to think about their messages. • Lack of cues about a person’s appearance can reduce prejudice, discrimination, & stereotypes when using CMC. • Media is used in addition to face-to-face, allowing different communication interactions when face-to-face communication is difficult or not an option. CMC & The Individual • Individuals have more control over what they do and do not disclose using CMC. • Anonymity reduces the context for evaluating a message, but might eliminate prejudice or discrimination. • Spoofing - an individual misrepresents himself/herself on line, sometimes including slanderous or liable ...