Computer-mediated Communication and Interpersonal Relationship

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Concept of
“Computer-mediated communication” and “interpersonal relationship”

According to Martin Buber‘s I-thou philosophy, it is only through respectful dialogue that relationships grow. By being able to be true to our self and at the same time allowing others to be equally honest as we engage in dialogue with each other, we build intimacy and therefore create stronger interpersonal bonds. Buber’s perception encourages to “clearly expressing your own ideas but listening well and honoring those ideas of others (Littlejohn & Foss, 2008, pp. 216-17). Through the exchange of a fully engaged dialogue, we trade personal information about ourselves and learn more about the people in our lives.
Although communication as a whole has been studied for centuries, interpersonal communication is a newer field of focus. Communication scholars have concentrated on more than just “business proceedings” communication since the late 1940s. By adding the aspect of “shared meaning and building relationships” (Caputo, Hazel, McMahon & Dannels, 2002, p. 9), interpersonal communication has surfaced as an essential field to study. Just as the study of communication has altered, so have the method individuals communicate. While face-to-face (FtF) communication was the central mode of interpersonal communication, we now communicate using a variety of tools including computer-mediated communication. Computer-mediated communication (CMC) was defined by John December as “a process of human communication via computers, involving people, situated in particular contexts, engaging in processes to shape media for a variety of purposes.” (Thurlow, Lengel, & Tomic, 2004, p. 15).
The medium of communication can have an impact on the approach how messages a...

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...more thoughtful, personal messages that they know the receiver will read when the time is most beneficial for them (Griffin, 2009). CMC creates a feedback system that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when CMC users “form highly favorable impressions of each other” (Griffin, 2009, p. 147).
Personal information cannot be shared and interpersonal relationships will not grow without communication. Communication theories that support the shortcomings of CMC are grounded on the cues-filtered-out theories, that without face-to-face interaction, the lack of non-verbal cues prevents successful interpersonal communication. These CMC uncertainties have been condemned through Social information processing theory, Social penetration theory, and the Hyperpersonal model of communication. Not only can relationships arise from CMC, they can likewise develop and mature using CMC.

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