U1D1: Background and Statement of the Problem - Kelli Rodriguez

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Computer Mediated Communication

Running head: COMPUTER MEDIATED COMMUNICATION

Computer Mediated Communication and its Effect on the Social Functioning and Psychological Well-being of Traditional Aged College Students

Kelli Rodriguez

Capella University

Abstract

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is transforming the way people communicate in modern society. Herring (2001) explains computer-mediated discourse or communication as the communication produced when human beings interact with one another by transmitting messages via networked computers, texts and instant messaging (p. 612). This study is an attempt to provide further insight into the effects of CMC on social and psychological well-being. This study examines the following question: Will higher levels of CMC use predict lower social functioning of traditional college students? It was hypothesized that higher CMC use will predict lower social and psychological well-being. CMC use, social functioning, and psychological well-being were measured using validated instruments and participants will be grouped according to the frequency of CMC use. The results would likely indicate that the hypothesis is supported. Implications and future research is also discussed. Table of ContentsAbstract

2

Introduction

3-4

Literature Review: Article 1

4-6

Literature Review: Article 2

6-10

Literature Review: Other Studies

10-14

Research Question and Hypotheses

14

Method

14-16

Results

16-17

Discussion/Conclusion

17-20

References

20-23

Appendix A: Informed Consent Form24

Appendix B: Instruments

25

Computer Mediated Communication and its Effect on the Social Functioning and Psychological Well-being of Traditional Aged College Students

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is transforming the way people communicate in modern society. Herring (2001) explains computer-mediated communication as the communication produced when human beings interact with one another by transmitting messages via networked computers (p. 612). Emailing, instant messaging, chat rooms, and friend networking sites (myspace and facebook) are popular forms of CMC for finding new people and for keeping in touch with people they know. According to Simon (2006), CMC has permeated our professional and personal lives (p. 349). The increase in internet access, which research has found to be used mainly for communication purposes (Kiesler, Zubrow, & Moses, 1985), has provoked an interest in researching the effects of the internet and other forms of CMC on society. According to Kraut, Patterson, Lundmark, Kiesler, Mukopadhyay, and Scherlis, (1998) the increased use of the internet as a mode of CMC over the past decade could have enormous consequences for society, including implications for interpersonal relationships and for peoples personal well-being (p. 1017).

Erik Eriksons work (1950; 1968) focused on psychosocial development. More specifically he studied how socialization effects ones sense of self. He believed that our sense of self, or ego identity, develops through social interaction. He broke down psychosocial development into eight stages, with each stage involving a conflict of identity. Erikson believed that successful completion of each stage brings one closer to psychological well-being and a successful social life. Harman, Hansen, Cochran, and Lindsey (2005) points out that: social relationships play important roles indevelopment, with social skill mastery predicting important social outcomes. Children must master several aspects of social competence and self-control (self-esteem, social anxiety, aggression control, and general social skills) in order to adequately perform in social settings (p. 1). Past literature made the connection between social functioning and individual psychological well-being (Broadhead, Kaplan, James, Wagner, & Schoenback, 1983; Cohen & Wills, 1985; Jones, Hobbs, & Hockenbury, 1982; Riggio, Throckmorton, & DePaola, 1990). Research continues to find a relationship between social and psychological well-being (Lee, Keough, & Sexton, 2002; Lee & Robbins, 1998).

Recent research has added the effects of societal changes to the research question, including the effects of CMC. Literature on the effects of CMC on social functioning and psychological well-being is conflicting. According to Bargh (2002), CMC as a mode of interpersonal communication lends itself to both beneficent and destructive uses and consequences (p. 2). In fact, two studies done by the same researcher can result in conflicting findings. Kraut et al (1998) reported negative implications of CMC use, whereas Kraut et al (2002) found CMC use to be beneficial. The following is a review of the two conflicting studies.

Literature Review: Article 1

Introduction.According to Kraut et al (1998), internet use has become a popular tool for accessing information, expanding commercialism, and communicating with others. Studies show that the dominant use of the internet in peoples homes is for interpersonal communication (Kraut, Patterson, Lundmark, Kiesler, Mukopadhyay, & Scherlis, 1998). Email, instant messaging, chat rooms, and friend networking sites have transformed the way people communicate with others. Kraut et al proposed that this transformation is having a negative effect on the social lives of those who use these types of computer-mediated communication. They argued that internet communication and use is causing people to become socially isolated and cut off from genuine social relationships (p. 1017). It was hypothesized that using the internet negatively effects social involvement and psychological well-being.

MethodThe study consisted of a sample of 73 families (169 individuals) that did not have an internet-ready computer within their home. The longitudinal data collected during the pretest and follow-up (12-24 months later) included demographic information, internet usage, and measures of social involvement and psychological well-being. Data on internet use was collected automatically (computer software was installed to record the time spent on various activities online). The following instrument was used to measure social involvement: Cohen, Mermelstein, Kamarck, and Hobermans (1984) Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (Cronbachs a = .80). The following reliability tested instruments were used to measure psychological well-being: UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980), Hassles Scale (Kanner, Coyne, Schaefer, & Lazarus, 1981), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977).

ResultsThe data analysis examined how changes in peoples use of the Internet over 12 to 24 months were associated with changes in their social involvement and psychological well-being (Kraut et al, 1998, p. 1023). The data supported the hypothesis that increased internet use has a negative effect on social involvement and psychological well-being. The data showed that with greater internet use, social involvement declines within the family (p < .05) and with those in the peoples local (p < .05) and distant social networks (p < .07). The data showed that with greater internet use, measurements of loneliness (p < .05), stress (p < .10) and depression increased (p < .05). DiscussionAmong the strengths of the research study is that it was well planned out. Reliable instruments were used to gather data, data was collected over time (twice to show change), and statistical controls (I.e., demographical attributes) were incorporated into the method. Among the limitations of the research study is that the sample size was small and not randomly selected, the participants were from one geographic area, a definition within the measurement instruments may have caused some confusion that may have interfered with accurate data collection, no control group was used, developmental changes of participants, and internet use changed during the time of the study which may have effected the results (I.e. it became more popular, expansion of content and programs, etc.). Kraut et al also discussed possible causal mechanisms that will be discussed within this learners project (I.e. internet displaces social activity). The authors pointed out that future research on the effects of internet use is needed to create preventive measures and interventions with individuals whom use computer mediated communication and whos social and psychological well-being are negatively effected as a result.

Literature Review: Article 2

IntroductionKraut et al (2002) involves two studies that examine the effects of internet communication on social involvement and personal well-being (see Kraut et al, 1998). The limitations of past research on this topic (Kraut et al, 1998) were discussed. Ways to address the limitations were built into the method plan of Study 1 discussed in the article. Study 1 was a follow-up of the Kraut et al (1998) study. The psychological and social well-being of the participants from the Kraut et al (1998) study were measured and compared to their pre-study measurements to determine if continued internet use negatively or positively effected the participants psychological and social well-being. Kraut et al (2002) proposed that internet communication and use is causing people to become socially isolated and cut off from genuine social relationships (p. 1017). They again hypothesized that using the internet negatively effects social involvement and psychological well-being.

Study 2 examined the differential effects of individual differences in extraversion and perceived social support on the effects of Internet use Kraut et al, 2002, p. 58). The hypothesis was left open due to a lack of reliable and consistent prior research on the subject. Two opposing theories were explained as hypothesis for the interaction of extroversion and social support on the effect of internet use on social involvement and well-being (social compensation and rich get richer; Kraut et al, 2002). MethodStudy 1 involved collecting a third phase of data from the sample used in the Kraut et al (1998) study. The data again measured the internet use, social involvement, and psychological well-being using reliability tested measures for social involvement and psychological well-being, including Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (Cronbachs a = .80; Cohen, Mermelstein, Kamarck, and Hoberman, 1984); UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980); Hassles Scale (Kanner, Coyne, Schaefer, & Lazarus, 1981); and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977).

Study 2 involved 406 new computer or television purchasers that were recruited through a newspaper advertisement. The television purchasers were used as a comparison group. Internet use was recorded automatically by software installed in the participants computers. A variety of instruments were used to gather the data on social involvement, psychological well-being, and various demographic information, including measurements of extrovert/introvertism and social support. Social involvement was measured through use of the following instruments: community and family involvement measurements, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (Cronbachs a = .80; Cohen, Mermelstein, Kamarck, & Hoberman, 1984). The following reliability tested instruments were used to measure psychological well-being: UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980), Hassles Scale (Kanner, Coyne, Schaefer, & Lazarus, 1981), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977). The following instruments were used to measure extroversion: Measure of Extroversion (Bendig, 1962), anomie (Srole, 1956), trust in people (Rosenberg, 1957, revised from Survey Research Center, 1969), and communication involvement (Mowday, Steers,, & Porter, 1979).

ResultsStudy 1, which involved the sample from the Kraut et al (1998) study, found that depressive symptoms (p