Study Notes on Human Communication, Social Media, and Communication Technologies

Introduction to Human Communication

Authors

  • Beauchamp and Baran
  • Title: Introduction to Human Communication
  • Focus: Perception, Meaning, and Identity
  • Edition: Second Edition
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press

Chapter 12: Social Media and Communication Technologies

Overview
  • Main Topics:
    • The Promise and Peril of New Communication Technologies
    • A Connected World
    • The Dark Side of New Communication Technologies
    • How Computer-Mediated Communication Affects Identity and Relationships
Learning Objectives
  1. Identify Warning Signs:
    • Internet Addiction
    • Depression
    • Distraction
  2. Explain Use of Social Networking Sites (SNS):
    • For identity construction and maintenance
    • For relational communication
  3. Describe Relationships:
    • Social media and social isolation
    • Popularity
    • Self-disclosure
  4. Present Informed Opinion:
    • Merits of face-to-face communication vs. computer-mediated communication (CMC)

The Promise and Perils of New Communication Technologies

  • Communication technology acts as a double-edged sword:
    • Favorable Consequences: Enables staying in touch, self-expression
    • Unfavorable Consequences: Exposure to unwanted evaluation
  • Neutral Nature of Technology:
    • Technologies (Internet, smartphones, social networks) lack inherent good or bad qualities; their impact depends on usage.
  • Changing Communication:
    • CMC alters social interactions significantly, providing insights that might not be available otherwise.

A Connected World

Digital Natives
  • Individuals born after the 1960s who have never lived without the Internet.
Connectivity Statistics
  • Internet Users: Over 4 billion globally
  • North America Usage: 95% of the population uses the Internet
  • Mobile Connections: More wireless connections than individuals on earth.
  • Smartphone Ownership: 94% of adults possess Internet-capable smartphones.

Social Media Connection

  • Facebook Statistics:
    • 2 billion users would make Facebook the largest country worldwide.
    • Accounts for 20% of all Internet page views in the U.S.
  • Twitter Data:
    • 500 million Tweets sent daily.

Privacy and the Internet

  • Privacy Trade-offs:
    • Users sacrifice privacy for connectivity.
    • Major privacy concerns include:
      • Use of personal data for profit
      • Facial recognition software
      • Automatic “opt-in” controls
      • Cookies tracking consumer behavior
      • Sharing information with third parties

The Dark Side of Communication Technologies

Main Concerns

  1. Addiction
    • Average American online for 6+ hours daily; some addicted individuals spend 40-80 hours online per week.
    • Recognized as a psychiatric issue (Internet Addiction Disorder) by the American Psychiatric Association.
    • Excessive use causes brain reprogramming and associated mental health disorders.
  2. Depression
    • Facebook Depression: Emerges when young users spend significant time on social media, exhibiting depression symptoms.
    • Research shows 30% of monitored college undergraduates exhibit depressive symptoms linked to their Internet use.
  3. Distraction
    • Young individuals live in constant distraction, affecting focus on essential tasks.
    • Potential positive outcomes include faster information processing and improved multitasking skills.

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), Identity, and Relationships

Communication Preferences

  • Approximately two-thirds of SNS users prefer online communication, even with local acquaintances.
  • 25% of 18-29 year-olds prioritize Wi-Fi access over physical entertaining spaces.

Social Networking Sites (SNS) and Identity

  • Motivations for Facebook Usage:
    • 1. Need to belong: Drive for social acceptance.
    • 2. Self-Presentation: Continuous impression management process (Nadkarni and Hofmann).
  • Social Benefits:
    • Fostering belonging increases self-esteem and feelings of acceptability.
  • Self-Disclosure in Online Contexts:
    • Users share information selectively.
Identity Theories
  • Idealized Virtual Identity Hypothesis:
    • Users create profiles showcasing ideal characteristics not representative of the actual self.
  • Extended Real-Life Hypothesis:
    • SNSs communicate real personality traits, referring to Mead’s symbolic interaction theory and the Looking Glass Self; emphasizing the role of interaction in identity construction.

Theoretical Perspectives on CMC

Cues Filtered Out Theory

  • Asserts face-to-face communication is superior due to shared physical space and social cues, which mitigate miscommunication.

Social Information Processing Theory

  • Argues social cues exist in CMC; users employ emoticons and several communicative methods suggesting varying context and intimacy (e.g., email vs. text messaging).

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication

  • Synchronous Communication (FtF): Immediate interaction with real-time message exchange.
  • Asynchronous Communication (CMC): Delayed message exchange, allowing for greater control over responses.

Media Richness Theory

  • Categorizes communication media along a continuum from lean to rich based on four factors:
    1. Instant feedback presence
    2. Multiple cues utilized
    3. Natural language employed
    4. Personal focus

Goldilocks Effect

  • Concept by Sherry Turkle (2012):
    • Technology engagements require a careful balance of distance; users prefer a regulated closeness in CMC contexts.
    • Issues related to friendships through CMC include:
    1. Social isolation
    2. Differences in usage between shy and popular users
    3. Online self-disclosure
    4. Relationship development

Social Isolation

  • Argument 1: Increased social isolation due to limited real-world interactions; friendships with similar individuals.
  • Argument 2: SNSs foster increased social capital and enhance connections among diverse groups.
  • Research Findings: Mixed evidence supports both arguments concerning social isolation.

Shy vs. Popular Users

  • Investigates motivations behind SNS usage: compensating for deficiencies or enhancing popularity.
  • Rich Get Richer Hypothesis: Popular individuals using SNSs for further enhancement.
  • Poor Get Richer Hypothesis: Less popular individuals finding increased social success on these platforms.

Facebook Envy and Sense of Well-being

  • Impact of Facebook Exposure: Linked to negative sentiments and life satisfaction drops.
  • Envy's Role: Users may feel envy toward others' represented happiness, negatively affecting their own well-being.

Self-Disclosure and Relational Development

  • Online friendships parallel real-world relationships; self-disclosure and uncertainty reduction are critical in developing connections.
  • Cynthia Palmieri’s Research: High self-disclosure correlates with positive interactions; low self-disclosure leads to less favorable outcomes.

Final Thoughts

  • CMC has profoundly reshaped communication dynamics, impacting self-perception, interpersonal interactions, and cultural engagement. The value derived from these technologies heavily relies on personal usage patterns and choices.