We tend to interact differently online.We tend to be more honest , more intimate .The term 'Hyperpersonal Effect ' coined by Joe Walther of michigan State University USA in 1996 , says that communicating by typing gives people time to construct their responses .It also frees them from worrying about how they look and sound , so they can focus exclusively on what they are saying .Without typical visual cues such as facial expressions and mannerisms , people can build more positive impressions of each other without being conflicted with the jarring reality that might put them off.online , all you can see is thier personality (real or projected , although some of my friends might disagree on the existence of personality)
Online communicating can also encourage people to take risks , because there is always an opportunity simply to disappear if things become embarrassing or awkward .And while it is certainly easy to lie online , it turns out its even easier to tell the truth.
In 2002 study , Walther showed that people communicate online were more likely to disclose personal details about themselves .Experts believe that this is because people are shielded from disapproving facial expressions and awkward consequences .
Hyperpersonal effect is also derogatorily termed as Cyberstreaking , because thats what people tend to do , strip themselves in front of total strangers, by writing about their feelings and actions and sexual orientations in their blog and god knows what else.(I may be guilty too )
cyberstreaking eh?
ReplyDeleteMaybe, maybe not.
ReplyDeleteIn direct face to face conversations I tend to let others do most of the talking. When they are not interested to know what I have to say, I feel it's not worth saying it. When I get the chance to tell my side of the story, they'd be moving on to other topics after they'd had their say, half of which I wasn't listening to. On line, I can write everything in detail and edit my words carefully to make them more interesting. I aim to speak honestly on or off line.
My god , on that note we are both exactly the same.I too tend to let others speak (I am a good listener , I think).
ReplyDeleteHonesty is what we should try to aim for in all our communications.
The beauty of a written message is that it can edited , rephrased , restructured or deleted , but words once uttered cannot be taken back.
Even then written communication is not perfect .I do miss the changes in inflection ,tonality ,pitch and volume and a multitude of gestures that convey more than what is actually said.
Sarcasm , which is so easy to spot when said out aloud in a sneering voice is very hard to convey or detect in written communication.
But research states that Introverts like me excel in written communication.(Which is going to be my future topic), so I'm going to concentrate on improving my verbal skills.