Chapter 14: Communicating Through Social and Interactive Media

CMC

computer mediated communication

media sensitivity

the awareness that media possesses characteristics that affect their appropriateness and effectiveness in specific contexts

interactive media

any mediated form on communication

media richness theory

media has information carrying capacity

social presence

degree of psychological or immediacy engendered by various media

social presence theory

theory that suggests face to face communication is generally high in social presence, and that media vary in the amount of social presence they convey

social process

type of self presentation and self disclosure allowed in that type of media

collapsing contexts

in social media, not knowing exactly who is reading one’s post

spreadability

the ease with which content can be spread on social media

standard information

name, gender, profile picture

sensitive information

email, birthday, employer, curated photos

potentially stigmatizing information

religious or political views, sexual orientation, all photos

anonymity

the removal of any identity

pseudoanonymity

false projection of identity

CMC > friendships

increased field, hyperpersonal relationships, overcome limits of time and space

CMC > romantic relationships

finding similar others, getting past the gates, achieving intimate exchanges, emerging concerns

digital divide

inequity of access between the technology “haves” and “have nots”

cultural capital

cultural knowledge and cultural competencies that people need to function effectively in society

technocapital

access to technological skills and resources

multimodality

the range and breadth of internet activities

digital readiness

people’s preparedness and comfort in using digital tools for learning

what keeps people offline

mental access, material access to digital hardware, skill access, knowledge of computer applications