Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is defined as any human communication that occurs through the use of two or moreelectronic devices.[1] While the term hastraditionally referred to those communications that occur via computer-mediated formats (e.g.,instant messaging,email,chat rooms,online forums,social network services), it has also been applied to other forms of text-based interaction such astext messaging.[2] Research on CMC focuses largely on the social effects of different computer-supported communication technologies. Many recent studies involve Internet-basedsocial networking supported bysocial software.
Computer-mediated communication can be broken down into two forms: synchronous and asynchronous.[3] Synchronous computer-mediated communication refers to communication that occurs in real-time. All parties are engaged in the communication simultaneously; however, they are not necessarily all in the same location.[4] Examples of synchronous communication are video chats and audio calls. On the other hand, asynchronous computer-mediated communication refers to communication that takes place when the parties engaged are not communicating in unison. In other words, the sender does not receive an immediate response from the receiver. Most forms of computer-mediated technology are asynchronous.[4] Examples of asynchronous communication aretext messages andemails.
Scholars from a variety of fields study phenomena that can be described under the umbrella term of computer-mediated communication (CMC) (see alsoInternet studies). For example, many take asociopsychological approach to CMC by examining how humans use "computers" (ordigital media) to manage interpersonal interaction, form impressions and maintain relationships.[5][6] These studies have often focused on the differences between online and offline interactions, though contemporary research is moving towards the view that CMC should be studied as embedded in everyday life.[7] Another branch of CMC research examines the use ofparalinguistic features such asemoticons,[8]pragmatic rules such asturn-taking[9] and thesequential analysis and organization of talk,[10] and the varioussociolects,styles,registers or sets of terminology specific to these environments (seeLeet). The study of language in these contexts is typically based on text-based forms of CMC, and is sometimes referred to as "computer-mediated discourse analysis".[11]
The way humans communicate in professional, social, and educational settings varies widely, depending upon not only the environment but also the method of communication in which the communication occurs, which in this case is through computers or other information and communication technologies (ICTs). The study of communication to achievecollaboration—common work products—is termedcomputer-supported collaboration and includes only some of the concerns of other forms of CMC research.
Popular forms of CMC includee-mail,video,audio ortext chat (text conferencing including "instant messaging"),bulletin board systems,list-servs, andMMOs. These settings are changing rapidly with the development of new technologies.Weblogs (blogs) have also become popular, and the exchange ofRSS data has better enabled users to each "become their own publisher".
Communication occurring within a computer-mediated format has an effect on many different aspects of an interaction. Some of those that have received attention in the scholarly literature include impression formation, deception, group dynamics, disclosure reciprocity, disinhibition and especially relationship formation.
CMC is examined and compared to other communication media through a number of aspects thought to be universal to all forms of communication, including (but not limited to)synchronicity,persistence or "recordability", andanonymity. The association of these aspects with different forms of communication varies widely. For example,instant messaging is intrinsically synchronous but not persistent, since one loses all the content when one closes the dialog box unless one has a message log set up or has manually copy-pasted the conversation.[contradictory] E-mail and message boards, on the other hand, are low in synchronicity since response time varies, but high in persistence since messages sent and received are saved. Properties that separate CMC from other media also include transience, itsmultimodal nature, and its relative lack of governing codes of conduct.[12] CMC is able to overcome physical and social limitations of other forms of communication and therefore allow the interaction of people who are not physically sharing the same space.
Technology would be a powerful tool when defining communication as a learning process that needs a sender and receiver.[4] According to Nicholas Jankowski in his book The Contours of Multimedia, a third party, like software, acts in the middle between a sender and receiver. The sender is interacting with this third party to send. The receiver interacts with it as well, creating an additional interaction with the medium itself along with the initially intended one between sender and receiver.[4]
The medium in which people choose to communicate influences the extent to which people disclose personal information. CMC is marked by higher levels of self-disclosure in conversation as opposed to face-to-face interactions.[13] Self disclosure is any verbal communication of personally relevant information, thought, and feeling which establishes and maintains interpersonal relationships.[13] This is due in part to visual anonymity and the absence of nonverbal cues which reduce concern for losing positiveface. According to Walther’s (1996)hyperpersonal communication model, computer-mediated communication is valuable in providing a better communication and better first impressions.[5] Moreover, Ramirez and Zhang (2007) indicate that computer-mediated communication allows more closeness and attraction between two individuals than a face-to-face communication.[14] Online impression management, self-disclosure, attentiveness, expressivity, composure and other skills contribute to competence in computer mediated communication.[15] In fact, there is a considerable correspondence of skills in computer-mediated and face-to-face interaction[16] even though there is great diversity of online communication tools.
Anonymity and in part privacy and security depends more on the context and particular program being used or web page being visited. However, most researchers in the field acknowledge the importance of considering the psychological and social implications of these factors alongside the technical "limitations".
CMC is widely discussed in language learning because CMC provides opportunities for language learners to practice their language.[17] For example, Warschauer[18] conducted several case studies on using email or discussion boards in different language classes. Warschauer[19] claimed that information and communications technology “bridge the historic divide between speech...and writing”. Thus, considerable concern has arisen over the reading and writing research inL2 due to the booming of the Internet. In the learning process, students, especially kids, need cognitive learning, but they also need social interaction, which enhances their psychological needs. Although technology has its powerful effect in assisting the English language learners to learn, it can not be a comprehensive way that covers different aspects of the learning process.[20]
The nature of CMC means that it is easy for individuals to engage in communication with others regardless of time, location, or other spatial constraints to communication.[21] In that CMC allows for individuals to collaborate on projects that would otherwise be impossible due to such factors as geography,[22] it has enhanced social interaction not only between individuals but also in working life.[23] In addition, CMC can also be useful for allowing individuals who might be intimidated due to factors like character or disabilities to participate in communication. By allowing an individual to communicate in a location of their choosing, a CMC call allows a person to engage in communication with minimal stress.[24] Making an individual comfortable through CMC also plays a role in self-disclosure, which allows a communicative partner to open up more easily and be more expressive. When communicating through an electronic medium, individuals are less likely to engage in stereotyping and are less self-conscious about physical characteristics. The role that anonymity plays in online communication can also encourage some users to be less defensive and form relationships with others more rapidly.[25]
While computer-mediated communication can be beneficial, technological mediation can also inhibit the communication process.[26][self-published source?] Unlike face-to-face communication, nonverbal cues such as tone and physical gestures, which assist in conveying the message, are lost through computer-mediated communication.[26] As a result, the message being communicated is more vulnerable to being misunderstood due to a wrong interpretation of tone or word meaning. Moreover, according to Dr. Sobel-Lojeski of Stony Brook University and Professor Westwell of Flinders University, the virtual distance that is fundamental to computer-mediated communication can create a psychological and emotional sense of detachment, which can contribute to sentiments of societal isolation.[27]
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^Garcia, Angela Cora; Jacobs, Jennifer Baker (1 October 1999). "The Eyes of the Beholder: Understanding the Turn-Taking System in Quasi-Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication".Research on Language and Social Interaction.32 (4):337–367.doi:10.1207/S15327973rls3204_2.
^Herring, S.C. (1999). "Interactional coherence in CMC".Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences. 1999. HICSS-32. Abstracts and CD-ROM of Full Papers. p. 13.doi:10.1109/HICSS.1999.772674.ISBN0-7695-0001-3.S2CID29601555.
^abJiang, L. Crystal; Bazarova, Natalya N.; Hancock, Jeffrey T. (1 February 2013). "From Perception to Behavior: Disclosure Reciprocity and the Intensification of Intimacy in Computer-Mediated Communication".Communication Research.40 (1):125–143.doi:10.1177/0093650211405313.S2CID31617444.
^Dunn, Robert Andrew (2012)."Identity Theories and Technology". In Rocci, Luppicini (ed.).Handbook of Research on Technoself: Identity in a Technological Society: Identity in a Technological Society. IGI Global. pp. 26–44.ISBN978-1-4666-2212-8.
^Abrams, Zsuzsana I. (2006). "From theory to practice: Intracultural CMC in the L2 classroom". In Ducate, Lara; Arnold, Nike (eds.).Calling on CALL: From Theory and Research to New Directions in Foreign Language Teaching. Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium.ISBN978-0-9891208-1-4.
^Warschauer, Mark (1998).Electronic Literacies: Language, Culture, and Power in Online Education. Routledge.ISBN978-1-135-67348-2.[page needed]
^Warschauer, Mark (2006).Laptops and Literacy: Learning in the Wireless Classroom. Teachers College Press.ISBN978-0-8077-4726-1.[page needed]
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