Wk 10 - Social Cue Replacements

The lack of non-verbal cues in computer-mediated communications has been widely researched and the H807 guided reading on social cues identified some very interesting points which I have not previously considered.

In the adaptation theories under social identification model of deindividualised effects (SIDE) Walther (2006, p.4) identifies that ‘SIDE theorists argue that the process of CMC interaction often facilitates group identification’. Operating online under visual anonymity allow the group members to not see that they differ from one another idiosyncratically. This could be seen as an advantage if all you wish to achieve is a task focussed output. Walther goes on to mention that ‘without visual information users do not identify with one another as individuals’. So is that why we display thumb nails of ourselves in blogs and forum posts so others see our individuality. The Walther (2006, p.5) hyperpersonal CMC research suggests that ‘among strangers, a photo enhanced affection and social interaction relative to no photo’. Does this connection help us to form quicker bonds online to work as distributed team?

Although I am not in the habit of using the ‘cue surrogates’ of emoticons in email or forum posts I can identify with the advantages. Rezabek and Cocenour (cited in Walther, 2006, p.9) comment on the lack of visual cues in email such as ‘nodding, facial expression, posture, and eye contact found in FtF communications, CMC users often incorporate emoticons as visual cues to augment the meaning of textual electronic messages’. What surprised me with this research is that females use them more frequently than males do. I ask myself the question why that is. Are men less concerned or bothered about conveying the right textual message? I have no answers but would be interesting to see what other think about using emoticons.

The use of avatars in online social gaming has become hugely popular but the use of the less manipulable form of avatars known as anthropomorphic icons identifies interesting gender relationships. Research conducted by Isotalus (2003, cited in Walther, 2006, p.11) identified that engagement with news stories was dependant on the apparent gender of the icon. ‘Participants paid more attention when the icon appeared to be female. Further males found the news more credible when accompanied by a male icon, where as females’ credibility assessments were higher for female icons’. Does gender actually make a difference in levels of engagement in the way we study with the OU?

Walther, J.B. (2006) ‘Nonverbal dynamics in computer-mediated communication, or :( and the net :( ’s with you, :) and you :) alone’ in Manusov, V. and Patterson, M.L. (eds) Handbook of Nonverbal Communication, Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage.