The very last blog post!

The future of online communication is a growing phenomenon and FtF communication in certain areas, such as business deals, is becoming more obsolete. Our lives revolve around the use of the internet. Think about it, how would we communicate to friends, family and professors and do research for assignments without it? We would be lost not being able to converse online.

With this said, many of the theories we discussed in class will hold for years to come.
Using text based CMC communication, like chatting or blog writing, theories such as the Hyperpersonal model, the Goffman and Jung “multiple possible selves” idea, social support, and the idea of online community (Gemeinschaft) will still apply to such usage.

The Hyperpersonal model has five contributing factors which are the over attribution process, the developmental aspect, the selective self presentation, the re-allocation of cognitive resources, and behavioral confirmation.
· Over attribution process: people apply certain characteristics and hold certain impressions about people based on those over attributions
· Developmental aspect: as time increases, better impressions will too
· Selective self presentation: present yourself in a certain way based on what channel used
· Re-allocation of cognitive resources: people are able to focus on and analyze what the other person said and time allows them to do this
· Behavioral confirmation: behave as others see you

Goffman and Jung’s “multiple possible selves” include the ideal self, ought self, the actual self, and true self. With reduced cues available in text based mediated communication, people are able to use these self presentational tactics to portray any image of themselves that they want.
· Ideal self: qualities we strive to possess
· Actual self: qualities we express at present
· True self: inner self that has not yet been fully expressed
· Ought self: qualities we feel we should possess

Social support will be present whether in a text based or video based CMC environment. In either case, people are always looking for help or willing to give it. The advantage of social support online is that there is an exchange between strangers where no relationship is necessary to receive advice. And although people don’t know the person who they are receiving help from, they still engage in high self disclosure.

Finally, the idea of an online community will be present. Even though the internet is growing tremendously every year, and one may think that the community aspect of it will disappear. Perhaps certain aspects will but I believe a majority of the community atmosphere will still stay as it is. Sites such as advice websites and social networks like Facebook for example.

On the other note, the social presence theory will tend to not hold true for future CMC communication. I say this because as mentioned earlier by a few people, video usage will become more and more popular. With the use of webcams, the hypothesis given about the SPT won’t be accurate. Having a visual image of the other person will provide more nonverbal cues and thus impressions won’t be impoverished ones but more accurate ones.

I don’t think we could have discussed anything further in class expect maybe talking about the growth of the internet and the implications that it will have on society. I would also suggest, in agreement with a previous blog comment, that a more updated textbook should be used. This will be useful as it will be more relevant and more closely related to what we are discussing in class.

I really enjoyed this class and have learned a great deal not just about psychology of the internet, but about life as well. This wouldn’t have been possible if we didn’t have these weekly blog assignments. The internet is a crucial part of our lives and without it, we would be lost! That’s a scary thought but it’s true.