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Brian Cherry Ms. Caruso ENG 1102 30 July 2012 Cell Phones, Computers and Facebook: How New Technologies Have Changed the Ways That We Deal With One Another Since the dawn of humanity, communication has served as societal glue. Originally existing only as spoken words and body language, the development of written language began to become a method of building, maintaining and cementing relationships. It also played a vital role in the performance of the day-to-day functions of an individuals or a groups life within the societal context. The development of telephones, radio and television further changed the ways in which humans communicated and related to one another, but it is within the last two decades though that the most monumental changes in human history have taken place with regard to how we communicate and how our interpersonal relationships function. The development and widespread usage of cellular telephones, texting, social media and other forms of computermediated communication (CMC) in particular have forever altered the interpersonal communications and relationship functioning in American society. This paper is an exploration of those changes. The now ubiquitous cellular phone plays an important role in Americans daily lives. Many people know of someone who is seemingly surgically attached to his or her phone. But how has this changed the very nature of how we relate to each other? Unquestionably, cellular phones offer increased communication, which can positively affect a relationship, but differences in expectations and frequency can create tension. And differing opinions as to what types of

Comment [NA1]: Ashia Neal

Comment [NA2]: Great job on the title.

Comment [NA3]: Throughout my or the research there was explorations of these changes. Comment [NA4]: The now? Or just now Comment [NA5]: !!! Comment [NA6]: I need to catch up with your use of vocab lol

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communications with others (and also who those others are) are appropriate can lead to disagreements. Developing and following cell phone usage rules may help partners avoid the relational repercussions of managing calls and texts in ways that partners view as inappropriate or unacceptable (Miller-Ott 1). According to John Suler, Professor of Psychology at Rider University, the major drawback of texting on ones phone is context (1). How does one express tone, sarcasm, humor and feeling with a few written sentences? Indeed, Sulers research shows that one cannot communicate those concepts effectively. An individuals cues of facial expression, body language, and voice dynamics are lost in text communications. These cues convey emotion and context. Text communications also occur in relative, rather than absolute temporal contexts (Suler 1). In other words, since feedback is not instantaneous as it is in face-to-face communication, many things, such as apathy, can be falsely inferred. This can and often does lead to confusion, ambiguity, miscommunication and conflict. This research indicated that, particularly when dealing with intimate relationships but with others as well, setting guidelines and establishing expectations in regards to the rules of texting are vitally important in order to avoid relationship conflict (Suler 2). In regards to texting, it seems that quantity and quality of computer-mediated communication (CMC) play an important role in modern interpersonal relationships, too. In a study conducted by Dr. Joseph McGlynn at the University of Texas, results showed that the quality and quantity of communications positively affected peoples perceptions of the amount of support that they receive from family, colleagues and friends. Quantitative increases in CMC resulted in greater relationship satisfaction (1). Also, as McGlynn states, Results further suggested that CMC enabled participants to more effectively manage relational tensions of
Comment [NA14]: plays Comment [NA13]: I love the use of your vocabulary but maybe consider who your audience is and can they understand or will it go over their head besides that Im enjoying so far Comment [NA9]: Great finding evidence. Comment [NA10]: Do you need the after individual? Comment [NA11]: Im not a punctuation person but maybe the comma isnt needed Comment [NA12]: Maybe the use of another word? Comment [NA7]: Good but also can be saved for work cited Comment [NA8]: (last name comma page number or paragraph)

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autonomy verses connection and openness verses closedness (2). He later continues: This increase in breadth and depth of self-disclosure can greatly influence relationship development and impression formation. Increased self-disclosure also influences emotional expression in both primary and secondary CMC relationships (2). Succinctly, McGlynns research shows that CMC aids in effectively managing relationship tension regarding openness, and also increases the amount and quality of the feelings and self-expression that people are willing to share with others. This increase in breadth and depth of self-disclosure can greatly influence relationship development and impression formation. Increased self-disclosure also influences emotional expression in both primary and secondary CMC relationships (McGlynn 2). This aspect of CMC unquestionably can contribute positively to stronger relationship bonds, particularly among introverted persons who normally would be less willing to share their feelings and thoughts within the confines of face-to-face communication (Cortese 2). An even more recent development in technology is the explosion of social media. Facebook, Twitter and numerous niche sites have many millions of users, and provide those users with a variety of ways to share their thoughts, life experiences and feelings with those who they have accepted into their social networks. Facebook is currently the unquestioned king of social media in the United States. One recent study explored how men and women reacted to changes in their intimate partners Facebook profile. It examined several aspects of the site, but particularly focused on how a simple change in a profiles relationship status was received. The results of the study were clear: for males, a change in their Facebook profiles to reflect their new partnership showed a strong correlation to relationship satisfaction. With females, a change in their profile picture to include their partner had a high relationship satisfaction correlation (Papp 1). Both men and women in the study reported disagreements with his or her partner,
Comment [NA18]: hahahaha-us girls Comment [NA17]: similar to last commentbut I agree with the statement Comment [NA16]: ive seen this word before reconsider the usage and repetition Comment [NA15]: again last name first just review mla and or intext cite web

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friends and acquaintances due to Facebook (Papp 1). Facebook is paradoxically linked with both improvements and dissatisfaction in relationships, and Facebook communication with a friend improves the relationships offline closeness (Papp 1). The findings point to the unique role that Facebook disagreements play in relationship functioning. Today, cyberspace has become the domain in which we tell the world about our friends, colleagues, associates and partners. As one would surmise, this advantageous phenomenon is not exclusive to Facebook, but is found throughout CMC via the internet. Chat rooms, message boards, and other social networking sites provide similar benefits to socially insecure persons. The results of a 1998 study find similar results. The findings suggest the that anxious, marginalized, or lonely individuals turn to the Internet for social contact, prefer online social interaction, and establish more intimate relationships with their online partners (McKenna and Bargh 3-4). The effects of CMC are not all positive, however. In the workplace, computers can lead to a sense of isolation. Workers, with this feeling of being chained to their desks, often feel a sense of being trapped due to their lack of mobility, and then develop a feeling of powerlessness (Malinconico 2). Some studies have shown that internet, social media and cell phone use can have a negative effect on those with social anxieties. This is in contrast to the aforementioned study by McKenna and Bargh. One such study found that CMC had a negative effect on those with social anxiety by starting a cycle of alienation. Current evidence is compelling that social anxiety is caused by a persons hyper awareness of how others see him or her during face-to-face social interaction. Socially anxious individuals interpret the verbal responses and body language of others in a cynical, highly negative way. This negative response leads to acute and disruptive

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self-focused attention and safety behaviors, such as gaze avoidance and withdrawal from interaction altogether (Spurr and Stopa 3). The person then withdraws into the more comfortable world of CMC to avoid these negative feelings. The increased solitude feels more safe, but in turn leads to increased social anxiety and loneliness. Thus, a vicious cycle of anxiety, withdrawal and depression is born (Reid and Reid 3-4). When one examines these studies and ponders the underlying concepts, what becomes clear is that the very fabric of our relationships with others is altered by the use of modern technology. That fabric consists of the way that we communicate our thoughts, ideas and emotions with those connected to us. The disconnected nature of computer-mediated communications and social media creates a more comforting medium for some shy, introverted people. With the lack of comfort that face-to-face interactions bring to these individuals, CMC and social media provide a new level of self-expression and comfort that socially shy people never had previously. But for others, computer-mediated communication allows them to construct a prison of loneliness that is of their own making What is undisputable is that change has occurred, and that the way that Americans, and indeed humanity, communicate and interact with each other will continue to change as technology evolves.
Comment [NA20]: I completely agree and this is why we have more businesses lacking in customer service people dont know how to communicate effectively. Communication is hand and hand with customer service. Customer service is a pet peeve of mine. I feel that the youth of today are more comfortable via text and facebook and lack the common knowledge of things learned in the classroom. This paper was the angle I would have approached it and I enjoyed it. Comment [NA21]: Big words! Comment [NA19]: yes!

Comment [NA22]: Reword or take out a word

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Works Cited Cortese, Juliann, and Mihye Seo. "The Role Of Social Presence In Opinion Expression During FTF And CMC Discussions." Communication Research Reports 29.1 (2012): 44-53. Education Research Complete. Web. 11 July 2012. Malinconico, S. Michael. "People And Machines: Changing Relationships?." Library Journal 108.21 (1983): 2222. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 11 July 2012. McGlynn III, Joseph. "More Connections, Less Connection: An Examination Of Computer-Mediated Communication As Relationship Maintenance." Conference Papers -- National Communication Association (2007): 1. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 11 July 2012. Miller-Ott, Aimee E., Lynne Kelly, and Robert L. Duran. "The Effects Of Cell Phone Usage Rules On Satisfaction In Romantic Relationships." Communication Quarterly 60.1 (2012): 17-34. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 July 2012. Papp, Lauren M., Jennifer Danielewicz, and Crystal Cayemberg. "Are We Facebook Official? Implications Of Dating Partners Facebook Use And Profiles For Intimate Relationship Satisfaction." Cyberpsychology, Behavior, And Social Networking 15.2 (2012): 85-90. PsycINFO. Web. 11 July 2012. Reid, Fraser J. M., and Donna J. Reid. "The Expressive And Conversational Affordances Of Mobile Messaging." Behaviour & Information Technology 29.1 (2010): 3-22. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 July 2012. Suler, John. "Interpersonal Guidelines For Texting." International Journal Of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies 7.4 (2010): 358-361. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 July 2012.