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Wk. 3 - Signature Assignment: Research Paper
Wk. 3 - Signature Assignment: Research Paper
Khalilah Safaa
University of Phoenix
APMT 460: Cyber Communications
Instructor Kathleen Hughes
May 12, 2023
Wk. 3 - Signature Assignment: Research Paper
Wk. 3 - Signature Assignment: Research Paper
In today's digital age, communication through technology has become a vital aspect of our daily
lives. The increased use of technology has led to interactions and relationships forming online. Social and
interpersonal psychology have studied human interactions and relationships for decades. With the
emergence of digital communication, these fields are now exploring the impact of technology on these
relationships. Over the years, several theories have emerged from studying mediated communication.
Social Psychology Studies Human Interactions:
The field of social psychology seeks to understand how humans interact with each other in various social
settings. According to the American Psychological Association (APA, 2014), this discipline examines how
individuals' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of
others.
Social Information Processing Theory (SIP)
The Social Information Processing (SIP) Theory, introduced by Joseph Walther, states that
individuals can develop personal relationships online that are as intimate as their face-to-face
relationships. This theory asserts that the development of personal relationships requires time and
shared experiences, which can be achieved online. According to Walther, online communication provides
the necessary cues for a person to form an impression of another individual. Over time, individuals can
gather information from different interactions, leading to the development of personal relationships. An
example of the SIP theory in practice can be observed in online dating. Online daters communicate
through computer-mediated communication (CMC) channels, which involves exchanging messages
before meeting face-to-face. During this time, individuals can create and develop personal relationships
through online communication. Participants in the study by Hogan et al. [33] revealed that online daters
formed a powerful sense of connection through the exchange of messages before physically meeting
their partner. This example illustrates that online communication can help establish personal
Wk. 3 - Signature Assignment: Research Paper
relationships despite the absence of physical communication. The SIP theory complements the study of
social psychology by exploring nonverbal communication in relationship development. Social
psychologists acknowledge the impact of nonverbal communication on human interaction, but the SIP
theory suggests that individuals can develop connections without nonverbal cues. Thus, this theory
expands the current understanding and exploration of the formation of interpersonal relationships.
Hyper Personal Effect Theory
The Hyper-Personal Effect Theory, introduced by Joseph Walther, suggests that people portray a more
favorable version of themselves in online communication. According to this theory, online
communicators gain control over their communication activities, allowing greater control over what they
say, how they say it, and when they say it. This control leads to a selective self-presentation of the
individual, highlighting only the positive aspects of their personality [Walther, 2015].
One example of hyper-personal communication can be seen in the usage of social media platforms like
Instagram and Facebook. Users meticulously curate their profiles to only display their most desirable
attributes. In a study by McDaniel and Coyne [45], their findings suggest that social media profiles with
misleading or exaggerated portrayals can significantly impact the quality of relationships. This illustrates
the potential negative effects of hyper-presentation on online relationships.
The Hyper Personal Effect Theory complements the study of social psychology by exploring the factors
that influence the perception of an individual's identity. Social psychologists have examined the impact
of impressions and expectations on human interaction. The Hyper Personal Effect Theory extends this
understanding by acknowledging the manipulation of identity in online communication.
Comparison of Theories:
Despite having different focuses, the SIP theory and Hyper Personal
Effect Theory share similarities. Both theories suggest that online communication can positively impact
the formation of personal relationships. Also, both agree that personalized communication online can
positively impact interpersonal relationships. However, the differences between the two theories lie in
the processes involved in creating these relationships. The SIP theory stresses that personal relationships
through online communication take time and shared experiences, and cues are the primary source of
information. In contrast, the Hyper Personal Effect Theory suggests that the positive portrayal of an
individual online can lead to the formation of relationships more quickly.
Enhancing Digital Communication
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