Exploring the Hyperpersonal Model: Determining the inflated nature of feedback in computer-mediated communication

This research explores the hyperpersonal model of computer-mediated communication (CMC; Walther, 1996). Seeking to explore the largely unknown tenant of the model, the inflated feedback loop, two studies are conducted to find empirical support for the inflated nature of interpersonal communication in computer-mediated environments. Study 1 provides a clean distinction between CMC and face-to-face (FTF) communication, asking participants to communicate in one of the two channels and utilizing an `identity shift’ (Gonzales & Hancock, 2008; Walther et al., 2011) as the dependent variable of interest. If inflated communication does in fact exist in CMC then results should show a significantly larger shift in participants’ self reports of the assigned personality trait in the CMC conditions than in the FTF conditions. Study 2 explores a mechanism by which inflated communication can occur in computer-mediated environments. Looking at behavioral confirmation, this experiment replicates the traditional study (Snyder, Tanke, & Berscheid, 1977) in a computer-mediated environment and again measures `identity shift’ to determine the extent to which behavioral confirmation might explain the inflated shift of self-expressions that occurs in CMC. The impact these results have on the hyperpersonal model and the general field of CMC, are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Schumaker, Erin Margaret

Contributors dc:contributor

• Van Der Heide, Brandon

• Communication

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366024818

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1366024818