Computer Mediated Communication and Online Interactions

Lecture 16: Computer-Mediated Communication and Interactions Online

Presenter: Momina Khalid Butt
Email: Momina.butt@fsf.vu.lt
Field: Communication Psychology

Table of Content

• Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

• Online Remote Communication

• Trolling

• Online Aggression and Bullying

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

Definition

• Computer-Mediated Communication refers to human communication that occurs through digital devices and platforms, where interaction is facilitated by technology rather than face-to-face contact.

Examples

• Social media platforms:

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

  • X (Twitter)

• Messaging applications:

  • WhatsApp

  • Telegram

• Emails

• Online forums and comment sections

• Video conferencing tools:

  • Zoom

  • Microsoft Teams

Key Characteristics

• Reduced non-verbal cues

  • Lack of tone, facial expressions, and gestures

• Modes of communication:

  • Asynchronous communication (e.g., emails, comments)

  • Synchronous communication (e.g., chats, video calls)

• Greater control over self-presentation

• Physical distance between communicators

Psychological Implications

• Easier self-disclosure due to perceived anonymity

• Increased misunderstandings stemming from lack of contextual cues

• Altered social norms regarding communication and behavior

• Reduced social accountability for actions taken online

Online Interactions & Digital Social Behavior

Nature of Online Interactions

• Less regulation by immediate social feedback compared to face-to-face interactions

• Often shaped by platform-specific norms and algorithms

• Encourages selective identity presentation among users

Comparison: Online vs. Face-to-Face Interaction

Psychological Effects

• Increased confidence for some individuals in expressing themselves

• Initial reduction of social anxiety

• Risk of emotional detachment from others

• Formation of echo chambers, which may reinforce existing beliefs

Remote Communication

Definition

• Remote communication is interaction occurring without the physical presence of individuals, often mediated by digital tools.

Examples

• Online learning platforms

• Teletherapy sessions

• Remote work meetings

• Long-distance relationships facilitated by digital communication

Advantages

• Accessibility to individuals regardless of location

• Flexibility in scheduling and interaction styles

• Reduced geographical barriers enabling global communication

• Comfort for socially anxious individuals, who may feel safer online

Challenges

• Emotional misinterpretation due to lack of contextual information

• Zoom fatigue, a phenomenon of exhaustion from prolonged video meetings

• Reduced empathy in digital communications compared to in-person interactions

• Communication overload from constant influx of messages and interactions

Psychological Concepts Involved

• Cognitive Load: The amount of mental effort used in working memory.

• Attention Fragmentation: Difficulty in maintaining concentration due to multitasking and distractions.

• Emotional Distancing: Feeling disconnected from others, particularly in online interactions.

• Reduced Relational Depth: Shallow relationships formed due to superficial online exchanges.

The Online Disinhibition Effect (Key Theory)

Proposed By

• John Suler (2004)

Definition

• The Online Disinhibition Effect refers to the phenomenon where people behave more freely or aggressively online than they would in face-to-face settings.

Six Factors Contributing to This Effect

1. Anonymity: Concealment of identity leads to less accountable behavior.

2. Invisibility: Lack of physical presence removes immediate social feedback.

3. Asynchronicity: Non-simultaneous communications allow time to think but can lead to more extreme expressions.

4. Dissociative Imagination: The digital world feels detached from reality, so people may act uncharacteristically.

5. Minimization of Authority: Online platforms may diminish perceived hierarchies and scripts.

6. Reduced Social Cues: Lack of non-verbal feedback can embolden risky behaviors.

Results of the Disinhibition Effect

• Oversharing personal information

• Use of hostile language in communications

• Engagement in trolling behaviors

• Increase in cyberbullying incidents

Trolling

Definition

• Trolling is the intentional online behavior aimed at provoking emotional reactions, disrupting discussions, or causing distress among users.

Common Trolling Behaviors

• Provocative comments designed to elicit strong reactions

• Use of sarcasm and mockery to demean others

• Spreading misinformation to mislead users

• Targeted harassment aimed at specific individuals or groups

Psychological Motivations for Trolling

• Desire for Attention: Seeking recognition and visibility online.

• Power and Control: Feeling superior to others through disruption.

• Boredom: Engaging in trolling behavior as a form of entertainment.

• Low Empathy: Lack of concern for the emotional states of others.

• Dark Personality Traits: Traits like narcissism and Machiavellianism that predominate in individuals prone to trolling.

Impact of Trolling

• Emotional distress inflicted on victims

• Breakdown of online community standards and dialogue

• Normalization of aggressive behavior within digital spaces

Online Aggression

Definition

• Online aggression encompasses hostile or harmful behaviors conducted through digital platforms.

Forms of Online Aggression

• Verbal abuse targeting individuals or groups

• Threats made through various digital mediums

• Hate speech directed at marginalized communities

• Doxxing: Publicly revealing private information about individuals to harm them.

• Public shaming or humiliation within online communities

Why Online Aggression Increases

• Lack of immediate consequences for harmful actions

• Reduced empathy due to physical separation

• Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness in group settings leading to uninhibited behavior.

• Group Polarization: Amplification of extreme views when individuals with similar beliefs interact.

Psychological Mechanisms Behind Online Aggression

• Moral Disengagement: Rationalizing harmful actions through a perceived separation from norms.

• Social Identity Theory: Individuals identify with groups and may behave aggressively in defense of that identity.

• Reduced Emotional Regulation: Difficulties in managing emotions during online interactions.

Cyberbullying

Definition

• Cyberbullying is repeated, intentional aggression conducted through digital media, targeting an individual who has difficulty defending themselves.

Key Features of Cyberbullying

• Repetition: Incidents occur multiple times rather than singularly.

• Power Imbalance: The bully has greater power than the victim.

• Public or Semi-Public Exposure: The acts are visible to others within digital platforms.

• Persistent Access: Digital media facilitates bullying 24/7, preventing escape for the victim.

Forms of Cyberbullying

• Harassment through messages and posts

• Spreading of rumors to tarnish reputations

• Exclusion from online groups or activities

• Impersonating the victim or misusing their identity

• Posting private content without consent to embarrass individuals

Psychological Consequences of Cyberbullying

• Experiencing anxiety and depression as a result

• Development of low self-esteem following victimization

• Increased social withdrawal from peers and communities

• Academic decline due to stress and distraction

• Suicidal Ideation: Severe cases may lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Psychological Differences: Offline vs. Online Aggression

Immediate Characteristics

Protective Factors & Prevention

Individual Level

• Digital Literacy: Skills to navigate online environments responsibly.

• Emotional Regulation Skills: Techniques to manage emotional responses effectively.

• Assertive Communication: Ability to communicate needs and boundaries firmly.

Social Level

• Peer Support: Encouragement and assistance from friends and peers.

• Bystander Intervention: Taking action to help someone being targeted.

• Healthy Online Norms: Establishing community standards that promote respect and kindness.

Institutional Level

• Platform Moderation: Active management of online spaces to uphold standards.

• Reporting Mechanisms: Systems for reporting harmful behavior on platforms.

• Clear Cyberbullying Policies: Guidelines for institutions to address and prevent cyberbullying.

Questions?

• Any questions so far?