The Chosen Ones Present

CHAPTER 2CMC, Diffusion, and Social Theories

Contact ListJulian- (732) 770-3265 ariajuli@kean.edu

Gabrielle- (917) 974-9375 galega@kean.edu

Janelle- (609) 694-5740 hollajan@kean.edu

Adriana Moran - (973) 903-3599 moranad@kean.edu

Ihsaan Fleming- (973) 752-4561 flemingi@kean.edu

IdentityO Interpersonal communication researchers

developed Computer-mediated communication (CMC) as a way to describe the digital nature of mediated online communication

OCMC examines how identities and interaction sometimes produce online communities.

IdentityO In general, CMC addressed identity

formation, presentation, distribution and other issues.

OEach of us has an online presence expressed by what we choose to share about others and ourselves

Internet HistoryO A 1960s military project called the Advanced Research

Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) by the United States Department of Defense had a goal of connecting the east and west coasts of the United States with instantaneous computer communication.

O ARPANET demonstrated that data could be divided into labeled packets, sent and then reassembled, and this packet switching model was also adopted as an efficient way to move messages on the Internet.

CommunicationThe online community emerges development of individual social identities and realistic relationships

Research proves that older Internet users score higher on personal growth and life purpose than younger users

Usually the people online have “common characteristics” when communicating

Like the Facebook “Wall” and the Pinterest “Board”

Mediated interpersonal communication - develops when online communication begins to function as it would a face-to-face environment.

Diffusion of New Ideas In the United States, there has been dramatic growth of Internet and Social Media communication

Other countries are also dramatically adapting the United State’s uses of all Media

Social media was first used at home with a personal computer, and easy to use

There are five stages of innovative communication:

1. Awareness

2. Interest

3. Evaluation

4. Trial

5. Adoption

Social Network Site Definitions

O Web-based services that allow:1. Construct a public/semi-public profile

within a bounded system.

2. Articulate a list of other users w/whom they share a connection.

3. View their list of connections and those made by others within the system.

SNS CharacteristicsO Profile user pages

(Demographic/Psychographic Descriptions)O Relationships (Friends, Followers, Contacts)O Public connection displays (Form of

“Impression Management)O “Self Presentation” (Serve as identity

markers)O Varying degrees of privacy through

site/settings

InteractionO John Perry Barlow (A cyberspace

Independence Declaration)O Suggested Governments should have “no

sovereignty” over “cyberspace” & its usersO “On behalf of the future, I ask you of the past

leave us alone”O Idealistic view of online life to separate it

from the physical world.

Another PioneerO Howard RheingoldO Observed: Virtual communities involve

creation of social groups and relationships overtime.

O Social networks are dedicated to forming and managing impressions.

Uses and Gratifications Unlimited Range of Potential Use

Satisfaction and the Internet

Communication and the Internet

Online Culture and PowerSocial media is reshaping our common culture

People use social media for:Maintaining relationships

Maintaining current power

Try to gain new power

CMC and Social MediaComputer Mediated Communication (CMC)

CMC began decades ago through the birth of the internet

Earliest forms of CMC include email and discussion boards

Early concerns of CMC:

- A tool to recreate communities of interest online, its advantages and limitations

CMC DisadvantagesDoes not offer rich communication such as face to face interactions

Lack of understanding through CMC creates negative experiences known as “flame wars” (online fights)

Have you ever engaged in an online fight due to a misinterpreted message?

CMC cont.CMC has allowed people to overcome physical and psychological limitations

Negative communication consequences, however, have been related to a preference for online social interaction, psychosocial depression, loneliness and problematic Internet use

Research has supported the idea that preference for online socialization is a key contributor to the development of problematic Internet use

There appeared to be a significant relationship between psychosocial health and preference for online socialization

In other words, CMC is a tool that may lead people with problems to take these into online environments, rather than, as is often assumed, the negative effects being caused by online usage.

CMC and MMO’sResearch has studied the boundaries between game play and life in the formation and maintenance of relationships and romance

CMC and the spread of MemesCMC also helps us understand the spread of Internet memes, which are “commonly applied to describe the propagation of content items such as jokes, rumors, videos, or websites from one person to others” and “may spread in its original form, but it often also spawns user-created

derivatives”

MemesIn a process similar to genetic evolution, memes are thought to compete for attention through imitation and iteration

1. Memes are understood as cultural information that passes along from person to person, yet gradually scales into a shared social phenomenon.

2. They reproduce by various means of imitation.

3. They are interesting because of their diffusion through competition and selection.

Although online users have freedom, research indicates the existence of cultural boundaries.

Social Media and CMC OverallA paradox may be found within social media that they may have both a tendency to trigger silence on controversial issues, but users also may feel liberated to express opinions

Spiral of silence theory, which suggests people assess climate of opinion before responding, appears to be active within online public opinion

Examples??

CMC helps us to better understand online communication and the foundations of social media. It also is a framework for understanding social media application in fields, such as journalism, public relations, advertising and marketing

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: STRATEGIES AND TACTICS

1. How has CMC influenced the way we form relationships? How may it blur the lines between reality and fantasy?

2. How would a visualization of your social networks depict communication patterns and relationships? How could this be used to influence future online behavior?

3. Describe your favorite Internet meme: Why do you like it? How does it transfer cultural understandings from one person to another?

Discussion Answers1.Cmc has influenced the way we form relationships in the sense that we have the capability to form many relationships with people across the globe in a short period of time. We can communicate at all hours of the day with anyone, anywhere. So we are able to communicate more frequently but that doesn't mean the communication is genuine, because you don't always know who you are talking to

2. Personally, I do not use social media that much anymore to communicate with others and maintain relationships. Therefore, cmc relationships that exist in my life are weak because I don't take the time to maintain them anymore. I prefer texting over communicating through social media. Communication patterns based off of my social media would involve sharing videos with friends, reading news stories (whether hard news or social news) as well as looking at pictures and images shared through social media. This probably could not be used to influence future online behavior that much because based off of my using of social media, communication through social media seems to be a dying trend. People will only share more videos and images rather than build and maintain relationships.

3. My favorite internet meme would have to be the ongoing feud between rappers Drake and Meek Mill. Drake has used his significant following and social media presence to slander and jab at opponent Meek Mill. This ongoing feud has led to many back and forth diss songs and tracks, but the best part of it all are the memes that it has produced. I believe it can possibly transfer cultural standings from one person to another in the sense that, someone who may not have formed their own opinion of rapper Meek Mill may see these memes and instantly side with Drake, who is winning the feud in terms of social media.