Chapter 11

Technology and Interpersonal Communication

Technology Terms

• Content aggregation or “information architecture” refers to information that has been collected together from different sources and considered a whole

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Technology Terms

• Convergence is the integration of various technologies– Voice-activated computers– Cell phones that take pictures

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Technology Terms

• Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is the use of various technologies to facilitate communication with others

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Characteristics ofCommunication Technology

• Its pervasive – technology is everywhere

• Its paradoxical – technology is conflicting, inconsistent, and ironic– global village

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Characteristics ofCommunication Technology

• Its powerful – technology influences people events and cultures

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The Accessibility of Communication Technology

• Accessibility helps to eliminate the technological gap between people and culture communities–Digital divide

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The Accessibility of Communication Technology

• Trends of technology users:– Elite tech users = 31% of American

adults–Middle-of-the-road tech users =

20% of American adults– Few tech assets = 49% of American

adults

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What Does Accessibility of Communication Technology Have

to do With Interpersonal Communication?

• First, it creates problems with meaning

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What Does Accessibility of Communication Technology Have

to do With Interpersonal Communication?

• Second, it has many positive benefits:– Increases safety– Creates a sense of play– Improves psychological well-being

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The Internet: Connecting Now

• The internet is a “superhighway” network of networks– It connects computers together and

the information goes from one computer to another

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The Dark Side of the Internet: Proceed with Caution

• Little accountability or responsibility

• Fostering of hate –Hate speech is extremely offensive

language that is directed toward a particular group of people

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The Dark Side of the Internet: Proceed with Caution

• Flaming occurs when people exchange malicious, hostile, or insulting comments–Has been called “electronic road

rage”- Invasion of privacy

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The Bright Side of the Internet: New Opportunities

• Widening your social networks– Computer mediated communication

(CMC) allows people to seek out information and develop relationships

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The Bright Side of the Internet: New Opportunities

• Enhance your educational accessibility

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The Presentation of Self Online

• Avatars are a digital fictional and fantasy representation of a user in a virtual world

• Signaling theory proposes that online users have qualities that they wish to present to others

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Assumptions of Online Presentations of Self

• Assumption 1– The computer screen can deceive• Synchronous communication is when communication is taking place between the sender and receiver at the same time or in real time

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Assumptions of Online Presentations of Self

• Asynchronous communication is when the sender and receiver do not synchronize before and after each communication exchange

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Assumptions of Online Presentations of Self

• Assumption 2–Online discussions often prompt

introspection

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Assumptions of Online Presentations of Self

• Assumption 3–Online discussions promote self-

orientation

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Identity Markers on the Internet

• An identity marker is an electronic extension of who someone is– Screen names or nick names that

are used to communicate the individuality of the sender of a message

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Identity Markers on the Internet

•Personal homepages or web pages present a number of characteristics of a person such as: hobbies, pets, home, or links to other groups

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Communication Technology and Relational Maintenance

• The electronic and face-to-face relationships

• The “language” of online relationships– Abbreviated language is used for

efficiency

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Communication Technology and Relational Maintenance

•Graphic accents such as smiley faces are used to communicate emotions–Articon is a picture used in an electronic message

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Communication Technology and Relational Maintenance

• Social networking: beyond the keyboard - refers to linking people or groups of people who share common interests

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Choices for Improving Online Communication Skills

• Sender and receiver skills for electronic messages– Take responsibility for your own

words

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