Chp 11: Mediated Relationships

BOOK: pgs. 163-173

PDF: pgs. 173-183

What you need to Know

• Define mediated relationships

• Synchronous versus asynchronous

• Hyperpersonal communication

• Media Richness Theory-rich versus lean messages

• Effective communication in mediated relationships

• What were a couple of important points that Sherry Turkle made in her Ted Talk about using texting, social media? What did she say about our need for control in mediated relationships?

Types of Mediated Communication

• Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Spotify, Yelp, Instagram, Snapchat, Blogger, YouTube, Groupon, etc.

• Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

  • Synchronous - partners communicate simultaneously

  • Asynchronous - messages are sent and received at different times

• Hyperpersonal versus Interpersonal

  • Hyperpersonal - when mediated communication has higher levels of affection, emotion, liking, solidarity, and intimacy than face-to-face conversation

  • Interpersonal - based primarily on facilitating a transaction

• What makes for an effective email communication? See tips on page 169 (PDF: pg. 179)

• Information Types

Media Impact Messages

• Modifies messages

  • Media Richness Theory - “lean” messages are best suited for “lean” media, such as email or text messaging because these types of messages are considered straightforward. “Rich” messages (e.g., telling your spouse that there are problems in your marriage) that include complex and potentially emotional content are best-expressed face-to-face or over the phone.

• Leads to other media use

  • Media chains

• Communicates about the relationship

Benefits and Challenges

• Allows for telecommuting

  • But might reduce solidarity and effectiveness

• Facilitates long-distance relationships

  • But might feel too connected

  • Time spent on social media might have negative effect

• Might result in idealizing your relationships

Dialogic Communications in Mediated Relationships

• Be honest

• Consider if the medium fits the message

• Take care with what you share

• Avoid using media to maintain relationships

• Interact online as if you’re face to face

Key Terms

1. Synchronous communication - communication that occurs simultaneously

2. Asynchronous communication - communication that occurs when the communicators are sending and receiving messages at different times

3. Social media - forms of electronic communication through which users online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content

4. Impersonal communication - communication that occurs in order to facilitate some type of transaction; based primarily on social roles

5. Hyperpersonal communication - computer-mediated communication that has a higher level of affection, emotion, liking, solidarity, and intimacy than face-to-face conversations

6. Catfishing - the practice of pretending to have a different identity via social media in order to initiate and maintain a relationship with another person