What is Computer Mediated Communication? & How does CMC (a)effect interpersonal communication?

by Carolyn Levine
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=7&hid=4&sid=45c76aee-7dd7-4c8e-b9c5-6574bd92dd3d%40sessionmgr10

What is Computer Mediated Communication?
CMC is the processing of sending and sharing messages via a technological medium. This includes but is not limited to social networking sites, email, instant messaging, and texting.

How does CMC (a)effect interpersonal communication?
CMC allows users to be anonymous and to develop a new persona. Communication that involves an electronic medium transforms basic communication. “Environments such as chat rooms and newsgroups allow communicators to gather information, form impressions, and make relational decisions about others in an unobtrusive—and fairly undetectable manner.” (Ramirez, 2) It allows the user to be whoever they want, say whatever they want, and act in a manner they may not have if the communication had been face-to-face. “Their principle of interactivity holds that ‘‘human communication processes and outcomes vary systematically with the degree of interactivity that is afforded or experienced’’ (Burgoon et al., 2002, p. 659). As such, variations in structural affordances and experiential indicators of interactivity are expected to have predictable effects on communication processes and outcomes.”(Ramirez, 3) This being said, communication varies based on interaction levels. Interaction lacks in CMC because there is no longer face time which more often cause a miscommunication. When having a conversation face-to-face very little is misunderstood because one is able to ask questions directly, and take clues from facial expressions and body language. These aspects that determine mood are often lost in computer mediated communication.

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=17&hid=4&sid=ee8f4ec3-8eeb-4a34-b76a-05ac54cf4146%40sessionmgr13
A positive effect of computer mediated communication is giving words to those who may not have spoken out before. Teens and young adults who were once shy now have a place to share there ideas, interests, and most importantly there words. “[m]any American youth say that Internet communication, especially instant messaging, has become an essential feature of their social lives. . . . Relationships . . . are now nourished by the ease and speed of instant message exchanges and e-mail messages. Difficult conversations with friends are now mediated by the emotional distance the Internet provides. (p. 354)”(Keaten & Kelly 2-3)