MA, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Even though investigations of knowledge construction within CMC have been conducted (e.g. Gunawardena, Lowe and Anderson, 1997; Schellens & Valcke, 2004), no research has compared F2F communication and CMC in terms of the ability to solve complex tasks and to develop group cohesion. Group cohesion has been found to be vital for group cooperation and performance. Eight self-formed groups of 5 student participants each volunteered to participate in this study. Each group was required to solve two standardised, complex tasks in the same order. Student groups were randomly assigned to one of four medium combinations with two groups per combination. The combinations were: F2F communication for both tasks, CMC for both tasks, F2F communication for the first task and CMC for the second task, and CMC for the first task and F2F communication for the second task. Measures of knowledge construction were taken using the IAM (Gunawardena et al., 1997), group cohesion (assessed before and after the tasks) using the GAS (Evans & Jarvis, 1986), and a self-developed scale to assess satisfaction with the process and the outcome. The results showed that CMC groups produced significantly fewer contributions, and took a longer time to complete tasks, but there was no significant difference between the two mediums in terms of knowledge construction. The medium combination of F2F communication followed by CMC, achieved the least time to completion; the second most effective medium for knowledge construction, the greatest satisfaction with respect to group processes and the decision in the first task, and achieved a significantly higher level of post-manipulation group cohesion.

The present study provides a comparison of face-to-face and mediated hurtful communication in close relationships. Drawing on previous studies on hurtful communication and computer-mediated communication (CMC), an escalating hypothesis was posited that mediated hurtful messages would be perceived as more controllable, intentional, and hurtful than face-to-face (FtF) hurtful messages. Study 1 tested these predictions. Survey responses from college students who were randomly assigned to report either mediated or face-to-face hurtful interaction with a friend or romantic partner confirmed higher perceived controllability (i.e., being more deliberate on crafting hurtful messages) in the CMC than the FtF condition. Although intent and hurt were not different between the two contexts in the full sample, higher intent was found in CMC than FtF in romantic relationships. Thus, Study 2 was conducted, focusing on a comparison of FtF and text messaging in romantic relationships. Also, perceived face threat and relationship aspects—distancing effect of hurtful interactions and the effect of relationship satisfaction—were assessed. Face threat was posited to be lower in CMC than FtF context since Study 1 suggested that self-focused appraisals (e.g., humiliation) were lower for mediated hurtful messages. This difference in face threat was considered to result in similar levels of intent and hurt between the two contexts, although perceived controllability is higher in CMC. Results of Study 2 confirmed higher deliberation in CMC but failed to confirm higher intent or hurt in CMC. Further, face threat was not different between the two contexts, and controlling for face threat did not reveal the escalating effect (i.e., higher intent or hurt in CMC). Regarding relationship aspects, higher satisfaction and lower intent were associated with less distancing effect, and relationship satisfaction was negatively related to deliberation, intent, hurt, and distancing. These tendencies were not different between CMC and FtF contexts. These results suggest that mediated hurtful communication is a complex phenomenon in which various factors should be considered. The implications of these results were discussed, and suggestions for future studies were also offered. / text

Previous research has demonstrated that men and women employ different speech styles that result in an uneven power dynamic. To better understand the increasingly common interactions that take place using video-mediated communication, such as Skype and Google Hangout, the present research examines these gendered patterns in video-mediated communication (VMC). Mixed-gender dyads will be formed and ask to complete a desert survival task via VMC or in person while software analyzes their use of aggressive positive, and tentative language, as well as measuring speaking time for each party. Interpersonal perception and the use of intrusive interruptions and will also be examined. Drawing from research in Social Information Processing Theory, it is expected that users compensate for the difficulties of a communication medium in order to achieve a normal interaction. As such, men are anticipated to use more intrusive interruptions, aggressive language, and speak more than women, regardless of condition. Women are anticipated to use more positive and tentative language in both VMC and face-to-face conditions. Dominant language is also expected to mediate the relationship between gender and perceived dominance. Future research should examine the effect of race in these interactions, as well as how this dynamic effects gender non-conforming persons.

The aim of this thesis is to describe the language of electronic communication ('netspeak') as one of the present trends of the development of English. The thesis is based on the hypothesis 'netspeak' represents an independent multimodal linguistic variety sharing some features with informal face-to-face conversation. For this purpose, the language of selected samples of the texts of English-speaking students of British universities obtained from the social network Facebook was studied. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of these data and their comparison with spoken form of standard English, namely with the spoken demographically sampled part of the British National Corpus, confirmed the hypothesis. ! Key words: netspeak, CMC, Facebook, emoticons, face-to-face communication, informal conversation

In the current study, it was aimed to explore young adults&rsquo / communication technology preferences in friendships. With this aim, two survey studies were conducted on university students. In the first study 178 students and in the second study 343 students were surveyed. The findings of both studies demonstrated that (a) face-to-face communication was the most preferred communication,(b) preference for face-to-face communication was positively associated to preference for auditory communication, and negatively associated to preference for written communication, (c) several individual difference variables contributed to relative preferences for face-to-face over mediated communication in negative situations. General &lsquo / ndividual difference variables in relation to Relative Preferences were found to fit into a two-factor higher-order structure. The higher order constructs were Social Openness (the factors tapping to individuals&rsquo / motivation to engage in interpersonal interactions even when those interactions are challenging) and Individuated Functioning (the factors tapping to individuals&rsquo / motivation for personal growth). Relative Preference increased with increases in Social Openness and in Individuated Functioning. Communicaiton-specific individual difference factors underling the associations among Social Openness, Individauted Functioning and Relative Preferences were explored. Results suggested that Social Openness &ndash / but not Individuated Functioning- was indirectly linked to Relative Preferences via Perceived Difficulty of Communication Situations (Study1) / Social Openness was indirectly, and Individuated Functioning was both directly and indirectly linked to Relative Preferences via Difficulty in Handling Negative Situations (Study 2). Theoretical and practical implications of studies were discussed considering the previous literature.

Knowledge is the critical success factor for organizations to compete in the contemporary business world. Organizations that can make full use of their collective expertise and knowledge are likely to be more innovative, efficient and effective in the marketplace. With the development of advanced information and communication technology, organizations are undertaking various knowledge management initiatives to augment traditional ways of knowledge transfer. This dissertation intended to understand how various factors influence knowledge workers' knowledge sourcing behavior in the multimodal knowledge network. More specifically, our research question is: How do task characteristics, knowledge characteristics and individual characteristics influence knowledge workers' channel preferences during their knowledge sourcing activities?We built a knowledge sourcing preference model which predicts knowledge workers' preferences among various knowledge channels. We identified eight important antecedents from a wide spectrum of task characteristics, knowledge characteristics, and individual characteristics. We also identified three representative knowledge sourcing channels: face-to-face communication with colleagues, knowledge repositories, and discussion forums. We developed eight hypotheses on how each of the antecedent influence channel preferences.We tested our hypotheses through a survey we conducted in an international information technology company. Out of the eight hypotheses, the hypotheses on the influences from knowledge codifiability, knowledge volatility, extroversion/introversion dimension of the personality, and reciprocation wariness are supported. The hypotheses on the influences from task interdependency and task urgency are partially supported. The hypotheses on the influences from task routineness and expertise are not supported.This study furthers our understanding of knowledge workers' knowledge sourcing behavior in a multimodal knowledge network. The results of this study help organizations understand the advantages and disadvantages of various sourcing channels under certain circumstance of tasks, knowledge, and individuals. With this understanding, organizations will be able to have reasonable expectations on the utilization of knowledge transfer approaches, and to improve the effectiveness of the knowledge transfer initiatives. This will enable the organizations to cultivate environments or design systems to develop the types of channels to accommodate the preferences of knowledge workers with various combinations of tasks, knowledge and individual characteristics.

The purpose of this investigation is to further an understanding of the spiral of silence theory as it functions within both face-to-face (FtF) and computer-mediated contexts. Computer-mediated communication (CMC is often touted for being an empowering medium as it affords its users anonymity. This finding could have an impact on whether the spiral of silence occurs within CMC. Previous studies have relied upon hypothetical scenarios and have established weak support for the theory. Despite this study’s utilization of a within-subjects experimental design, however, no significant differences in minority opinion holders’ fear of isolation were found. Similarly, no significant relationship was found between minority opinion holders’ attention paid to news and fear of isolation. In regards to both majority and minority opinion holders, no significant differences in perceptions of opinions expressed in either condition were found. Reasons for such unexpected findings, as well as strengths, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

This thesis aims to contribute to the field of interaction design by exploring the use of nonverbal cues in FTF communication with the aim of generating knowledge that can be used as an alternative approach for assessing and designing text-based CMC media. To achieve this goal, movement in is analysed in the nonverbal and collaborative dimensions of FTF communication. This presents the possibility to assess text-based CMC media based on a better understanding of the use of nonverbal cues and FTF communication as a standard. The assessment and design based on this concept is tested in the design phase. This process provides a platform for discussion and evaluation of an alternative approach for designing text-based CMC media with a focus on interaction between communicators.

<p>Purpose/aim: The purpose is to get increased knowledge about how the communication had developed from the first contact online to the first meeting in real life and even after when it had turned into a real relationship. I also wanted to know why the eight women I interviewed experienced that the Internet is a good venue to meet and develop a real relationship at and if there existed any differences between those four women who were a bit older and those four women who were young.</p><p>Material/method: When the purpose with this survey stood clear I decided to use interviews as the method to find out more about my subject. I decided to do eight interviews and I contacted eight women who all found their partners online that were willing to help me and answer my interview questions. I did six of the total eight interviews through MSN Messenger and the other two through the telephone.</p><p>Main results: I found out that three of the older women had used e-mail and telephone and sometimes SMS communication to find out more about their soon to be partner and after that decided to meet the other person in real life. One of the older women and all four of the younger ones had used a Community and Instant Messenger to communicate with their soon to be partner, they also used the telephone and SMS to communicate with each other but Instant Messenger was the medium that dominated in their wish to communicate. Those instant messenger communications were also a difference that I came to see between how the younger and older women communicated and the fact that three of the older women told me that they had used the Internet to search for a partner while one of the older women and all of the younger ones told me they didn’t search for anyone at all it just happened that they found someone and came to like that person.Keywords: Internet dating, instant messaging, Community, computer mediated communication, telephone communication, face to face communication.</p>

Purpose/aim: The purpose is to get increased knowledge about how the communication had developed from the first contact online to the first meeting in real life and even after when it had turned into a real relationship. I also wanted to know why the eight women I interviewed experienced that the Internet is a good venue to meet and develop a real relationship at and if there existed any differences between those four women who were a bit older and those four women who were young. Material/method: When the purpose with this survey stood clear I decided to use interviews as the method to find out more about my subject. I decided to do eight interviews and I contacted eight women who all found their partners online that were willing to help me and answer my interview questions. I did six of the total eight interviews through MSN Messenger and the other two through the telephone. Main results: I found out that three of the older women had used e-mail and telephone and sometimes SMS communication to find out more about their soon to be partner and after that decided to meet the other person in real life. One of the older women and all four of the younger ones had used a Community and Instant Messenger to communicate with their soon to be partner, they also used the telephone and SMS to communicate with each other but Instant Messenger was the medium that dominated in their wish to communicate. Those instant messenger communications were also a difference that I came to see between how the younger and older women communicated and the fact that three of the older women told me that they had used the Internet to search for a partner while one of the older women and all of the younger ones told me they didn’t search for anyone at all it just happened that they found someone and came to like that person.Keywords: Internet dating, instant messaging, Community, computer mediated communication, telephone communication, face to face communication.