Shyness, sociability, and the role of media synchronicity in the use of computer‐mediated communication for interpersonal communication
Abstract
This study analysed how university students in Hong Kong with varying degrees of shyness and sociability utilized computer‐mediated communication (CMC) technologies for interpersonal communication. As spontaneous communication can increase the workload on working memory and accentuate feelings of social anxiety, it was hypothesized that shy students were more likely to use email and social network sites (asynchronous CMC) more frequently, and instant messaging and chat less (synchronous CMC). Results from an online questionnaire provided partial support for the hypotheses and suggested distinctive usage patterns separated by media synchronicity. Moreover, the analyses revealed a significant interaction between shyness and sociability on asynchronous CMC use.
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Asynchronicity allows adolescents to have greater control over the information they decide to share.
“Asynchronicity is another characteristic of online communication, and it allows adolescents to have greater control over the information they decide to share due to the possibility of thinking and editing messages before sending them.”
From Internet use and access, behavior, cyberbullying, and grooming: Results of an investigative whole city survey of adolescents (2017) · cites this paper as [35]
Asynchronicity can be particularly beneficial for kids who are shy, emotional, or easily embarrassed in offline interactions.
“It can be particularly beneficial for kids who are shy, emotional, or easily embarrassed in offline interactions [35]”
From Internet use and access, behavior, cyberbullying, and grooming: Results of an investigative whole city survey of adolescents (2017) · cites this paper as [35]
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- Authors
- Chan, M.
- Affiliations
- City University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Corresponding author
- Chan, Michael
- ORCID
- Chan, Michael
- Venue
- Asian Journal of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-12-03
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 84-90
- ISSN
- 1367-2223 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-839X
- OpenAlex
- W1492236751
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5
- FWCI
- 4.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Asian Journal Of Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Hong Kong Education Bibliographic Database (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Digital Communication and Language
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Networks and Communications › Media and Digital Communication
- Keywords
- shyness, sociability, computer-mediated communication, interpersonal communication, asynchronous communication, synchronous communication, email, social network sites, instant messaging, chat, social anxiety, working memory, university students
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