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Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication

Kiesler, Sara, Siegel, Jane, McGuire, Timothy W.·1984·American Psychologist
DOI 10.1037/0003-066x.39.10.1123
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Abstract

As more and more people use computers for communicating, the behavioral and societal effects of computer-mediated communication are becoming critical research topics. This article describes some of the issues raised by electronic communication, illustrates one empirical approach for investigating its social psychological effects, and discusses why social psychological research might contribute to a deeper understanding of computer-mediated communication specifically and of computers and technological change in society more generally. One objective of our research is to explore how people participate in computer-mediated communication and how computerization affects group efforts to reach consensus. In experiments, we have shown differences in participation, decisions, and interaction among groups meeting face to face and in simultaneous computer-linked discourse and communication by electronic mail. We discuss these results and the design of subsequent research to highlight the many researchable social psychological issues raised by computing and technological change. Computer technologies are improving so swiftly these days that few of us comprehend even a small part of the change. Computers are transforming work and, in some cases, lives. Whether eager for this or resistant, many people believe the organizational, social, and personal effects of computers will be deeply felt (De Sola Poole, 1977; Hiltz & Turoff, 1978; Kling, 1980). Today, no one can predict in any detail the nature of the transformations that computers will bring, but one aspect of life that will certainly be affected is communication. The use of electronic mail and messages, long-distance blackboards, computer bulletin boards, instantaneously transferable data banks, and simultaneous computer conferences is reportedly advancing like an avalanche (Stockton, 1981; also see Kraemer, 1981). The U.S. federal judiciary, for example, is using electronic mail to speed the circulation of appellate opinion drafts among panels of judges (Weis, 1983). Computer conferences are being used for such legal proceedings as admission of evidence, trial scheduling, giving parties access to documents, and expert interrogation (Bentz & Potrykus, 1976; Party-Line Plea, 1981). Other government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, as well as private firms, such as Westinghouse Corporation and Xerox Corporation, and some universities, use computer-mediated communication extensively for both routine transfer of data and nonroutine interpersonal communication and project work (e.g., Licklider & Vezza, 1978; U.S. Department of Commerce, 1977; Wang Corporation, 1982). Computer-mediated communication was once confined to technical users and was considered somewhat arcane. This no longer holds true. Computer-mediated communication is a key component of the emerging technology of computer networks. In networks, people can exchange, store, edit, broadcast, and copy any written document. They can send data and messages instantaneously, easily, at low cost, and over long distances. Two or more people can look at a document and revise it together, consult with each other on critical matters without meeting together or setting up a telephone conference, or ask for and give assistance interactively (Hiltz & Turoff, 1978; Williams, 1977). Networks, and hence computer-mediated communications, are proliferating at a tremendous rate. In addition to the older long-distance networks that connect thousands of scientists, professionals, and managers (e.g., the Department of Defense's ARPANET, GTE's TELENET), there are more and more local-area networks that link up computers within a region, city, or organization (e.g., Nestar System's CLUSTERBUS, Xerox's ETHERNET, Ford Aerospace's FLASHNET, and Wang Laboratories' WANGNET). Stimulating this growth are the decreasing costs and the advantages of networks over stand-alone systems, such as sharing high-speed printers and access to a common interface for otherwise incompatible equipment. The future of this technology cannot be foretold, but it is far from arcane. The functions and impact of computer-mediated communication are still poorly understood. Critical information (such as who uses it for what purposes) October 1984 • American Psychologist Copyright 1984 by the American Psychological Aisociation, Inc. Vol. 39, No. 10, 1123-1134 1123 is lacking, and the social psychological significance is controversial (see, e.g., Turoff, 1982). Computers could make communication easier, just as the canning of perishables and the development of can openers made food preparation easier, or they could have much more complex implications. For instance, access to electronic communication may change the flow of information within organizations, altering status relations and organizational hierarchy. When a manager can receive electronic mail from 10,000 employees, what happens to existing controls over participation and information? When people ca

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Crossref · 10.1037/0003-066x.39.10.1123

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  • The Vicarious Resilience Scale (VRS), developed in 2017, measures the positive impact of clients' recovery on therapists' resilience across seven dimensions.

    “The Vicarious Resilience Scale (VRS), developed in 2017, measures the positive impact of clients' recovery on therapists' resilience across seven dimensions [51,52,83,85,99].”

    From Measuring the Mental Health of Content Reviewers, a Systematic Review (2025) · cites this paper as [99]

  • The seven subscales of the VRS had alpha scores: increased resourcefulness (.86), changes in life goals and perspectives (.88), increased self-awareness and self-care (.83), client-inspired hope (.80), recognition of spirituality as a client source (.79), increased consciousness (.84), and capacity to stay present during trauma narratives (.65).

    “The seven subscales had the following alpha scores: increased resourcefulness (.86), changes in life goals and perspectives (.88), increased self-awareness and self-care (.83), client-inspired hope (.80), recognition of spirituality as a client source (.79), increased consciousness (.84), and capacity to stay present during trauma narratives (.65) [99].”

    From Measuring the Mental Health of Content Reviewers, a Systematic Review (2025) · cites this paper as [99]

  • Online social interactions may not require the use of non-verbal cues, particularly in the initial stages of interaction.

    “Online social interactions may not require the use of non-verbal cues, particularly in the initial stages of interaction (Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, 1984)”

    From Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice (2020) · cites this paper as Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, 1984

  • Technologies have altered HRM organisational communications, introduced social robots to HRM practices, and enabled new means of employer branding.

    “altered the HRM organisational communications (Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, 1984), introduced social robots to the HRM practices (Breazeal, 2002), and enabled new means of employer branding (Martin & Cerdin, 2014).”

    From Conceptualising the future of HRM and technology research (2016) · cites this paper as Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, 1984

  • Online environments that cater to anonymity and weakened social norms may foster disinhibited and aggressive behaviors.

    “Online environmentswhich cater to anonymity and weakened social norms-may serve as a breeding ground for such behaviors [14,15].”

    From Two social lives: how differences between online and offline interaction influence social outcomes (2020) · cites this paper as [14]

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Metadata

Authors
Kiesler, S., Siegel, J., & McGuire, T. W.
Venue
American Psychologist
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1984-10
Volume
39
Issue
10
Pages
1123-1134
ISSN
  • 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-990X
DOI
10.1037/0003-066x.39.10.1123
OpenAlex
W1686483645
Cited by
2,630
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 32 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 85 · 2021: 69 · 2020: 71 · 2019: 86 · 2018: 80 · 2017: 74 · 2016: 90 · 2015: 91 · 2014: 92 · 2013: 91 · 2012: 96
FWCI
23.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
  • Academic Press Professional, Inc. eBooks
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Team Dynamics and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Linguistics and Language › Digital Communication and Language
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Media and Digital Communication
Keywords
computer-mediated communication, group consensus, group decision making, email, computer conferences, computer bulletin boards, technological change

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