This dissertation examines the “buffer effect,” an important but understudied feature of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Research on the buffer effect posits that CMC venues provide a buffering “screen” that users can literally and figuratively hide behind. The buffer can make people feel more comfortable during interactions, and is theorized to be especially relevant in contexts where self-presentation is threatened. This study employs transgressions as ideal sites for examining the buffer effect because of the high level of threatened self-presentation involved therein. The current project tests whether people perceive different levels of a buffer in different channels of communication, and how the buffer effect is related to other widely studied features of CMC, such as interactivity, synchronicity, and social presence. It also tests outcomes of the buffer effect for both senders and receivers of transgressive messages. Specifically, it posits that the buffer effect is beneficial to senders of transgressive messages, and is detrimental to receivers of those messages. Furthermore, in the context of transgressions, the amount of responsibility that a person takes for the transgression is a factor that influences how others perceive the situation. Therefore, the current study also considers receivers' perceptions of the level of responsibility the sender accepts, and specifically posits that senders' higher levels of responsibility are associated with positive outcomes for receivers. The dissertation is comprised of two studies. In Study One, participants responded to a survey to test their perceptions of the buffer effect and of other features of CMC in various channels. Participants also responded to a hypothetical situation to indicate how the buffer effect influences outcomes when sending a transgressive message. Study Two employed an experimental procedure to test how senders and receivers perceive the buffer effect in actual interactions, as well as how senders' acceptance of responsibility affects outcomes for receivers. Half of the participants were assigned the role of sender and were trained to provide a transgressive message to the receiver. Specifically, senders were trained to say that they had to leave the experiment early without completing the study, rendering the receiver ineligible for course credit. Both the channel (i.e., face-to-face, instant messaging, text messaging) and the senders' level of responsibility (i.e., low/high) were manipulated. Results suggested that the buffer effect manifests in different levels for various channels of communication, such that face-to-face environments provide the lowest buffer, followed by video chat, social networking sites, instant messaging, and email. Text messaging provides the highest buffer. The buffer effect is negatively related to other features of CMC (i.e., synchronicity, interactivity, and social presence) for low-buffer channels, and is either positively or not significantly related to these features in high-buffer channels. Results also suggest that the buffer effect is associated with benefits for senders in both hypothetical and actual interactions, but does not affect receivers' outcomes. Receivers' perceptions of the level of responsibility that senders accept affects receivers' outcomes, but only within environments with a low and moderate buffer. These results extend research on CMC and on transgressive communication. Results also offer practical implications for how people might elect to use channels and modify the content of their message when communicating a transgression to a friend.

This dissertation examines the “buffer effect,” an important but understudied feature of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Research on the buffer effect posits that CMC venues provide a buffering “screen” that users can literally and figuratively hide behind. The buffer can make people feel more comfortable during interactions, and is theorized to be especially relevant in contexts where self-presentation is threatened. This study employs transgressions as ideal sites for examining the buffer effect because of the high level of threatened self-presentation involved therein. The current project tests whether people perceive different levels of a buffer in different channels of communication, and how the buffer effect is related to other widely studied features of CMC, such as interactivity, synchronicity, and social presence. It also tests outcomes of the buffer effect for both senders and receivers of transgressive messages. Specifically, it posits that the buffer effect is beneficial to senders of transgressive messages, and is detrimental to receivers of those messages. Furthermore, in the context of transgressions, the amount of responsibility that a person takes for the transgression is a factor that influences how others perceive the situation. Therefore, the current study also considers receivers' perceptions of the level of responsibility the sender accepts, and specifically posits that senders' higher levels of responsibility are associated with positive outcomes for receivers. The dissertation is comprised of two studies. In Study One, participants responded to a survey to test their perceptions of the buffer effect and of other features of CMC in various channels. Participants also responded to a hypothetical situation to indicate how the buffer effect influences outcomes when sending a transgressive message. Study Two employed an experimental procedure to test how senders and receivers perceive the buffer effect in actual interactions, as well as how senders' acceptance of responsibility affects outcomes for receivers. Half of the participants were assigned the role of sender and were trained to provide a transgressive message to the receiver. Specifically, senders were trained to say that they had to leave the experiment early without completing the study, rendering the receiver ineligible for course credit. Both the channel (i.e., face-to-face, instant messaging, text messaging) and the senders' level of responsibility (i.e., low/high) were manipulated. Results suggested that the buffer effect manifests in different levels for various channels of communication, such that face-to-face environments provide the lowest buffer, followed by video chat, social networking sites, instant messaging, and email. Text messaging provides the highest buffer. The buffer effect is negatively related to other features of CMC (i.e., synchronicity, interactivity, and social presence) for low-buffer channels, and is either positively or not significantly related to these features in high-buffer channels. Results also suggest that the buffer effect is associated with benefits for senders in both hypothetical and actual interactions, but does not affect receivers' outcomes. Receivers' perceptions of the level of responsibility that senders accept affects receivers' outcomes, but only within environments with a low and moderate buffer. These results extend research on CMC and on transgressive communication. Results also offer practical implications for how people might elect to use channels and modify the content of their message when communicating a transgression to a friend.

This study provides a re-evaluation of the physical condition of, as well as past and current restoration and conservation work at Ahi Elvan Camii, &Ouml / rtmeli Mesjidi, Sabun&icirc / Mesjidi and Poyraji Mesjidi&amp / #8212 / i.e., one Friday mosque, or camii, and three mesjids, or small neighborhood mosques, located in Ulus, today the historic center of Ankara. All four structures, now registered as historic monuments, have survived intact, preserving most of their original architectural elements. Each structure also represents a different example of a building type which became prevalent in Ankara during the 14th can 15th centuries which have stone foundations, mud brick bearings walls with timber tie-beams, as well as timber ceilings supported by freestanding timber posts. These structures, registered and restored during different periods since the 1920s, were intervened upon in various ways and clad and/or plastered with differing materials (e.g., cement-based or clay-based materials). Although at times past conservation interventions and/or signs of decay may be clearly visible, the effects of these on each structure as a whole&amp / #8212 / whether positive or negative&amp / #8212 / may be more difficult to detect. A micro-climatic investigation program thus provided the primary, non-destructive diagnostic technique for this study. In addition to this, published as well as unpublished documents within the archives of Vakiflar Genel M&uuml / d&uuml / rl&uuml / g&uuml / , or the General-Directorate of Endowments in Ankara, provided visual as well as written information on the history of each structure. Their building materials, as well as past and present restoration and conservation work were also analyzed in situ. Based on long-term meteorological records for Ankara, data were collected at each structure for one year during January, April, July and October using Tiny tag&reg / Plus data loggers on interior and exterior temperatures and relative humidity, as well as surface temperatures at their timber ceilings for one week per season. In addition to this, the distribution of temperature and relative humidity at each structure was measured every m2 within the main prayer hall and women&amp / #8217 / s section, or kadinlar mahfeli at each structure per season, and surface temperature measurements taken of their timber ceilings and interior wall surfaces. Data collected were subsequently analyzed with respect to various relevant factors such as / the physical characteristics of their load-bearing walls and the buffer capacity of materials within these structures and their effects on indoor microclimatic conditions, the risk of surface condensation at the exterior wall surfaces and the timber ceilings of each structure, suggested parameters required for the conservation of their interior timber elements, and materials conservation vis &agrave / vis existing comfort conditions. Past measures taken in the restoration and conservation of the four structures and their present physical condition were thus re-evaluated, and recommendations provided for possible approaches to their sustainable conservation in the long-term.

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