TTYL :-) … Nonverbal cues and perceptions of personality and homophily in synchronous mediated communication

ABSTRACT

Person perception is an integral aspect of human communication and is increasingly relevant in computer-mediated communication (CMC) because of the mobile and ubiquitous nature of mediated communication. Based on the hypothesis that nonverbal cues in CMC such as emoticons, acronyms, exaggerated spellings, acronyms, and altered sentence structure are similar to face-to-face nonverbal cues and have similar communicative outcomes, this study examines the effect of nonverbal cues in online synchronous interactions on perceptions of personality and homophily. Employing a between-subjects post-test experimental design, participants (N = 505) were randomized to view one of three transcripts of an instant messaging conversation in which nonverbal cues along with the valence were manipulated. Results showed that subjects in the positive nonverbal cues condition were perceived to be extraverted and agreeable; those in the negative nonverbal cues condition were perceived to be neurotic, and those in the control condition were perceived to be conscientiousness and homophilous. The findings suggest that nonverbal cues in synchronous mediated communication allow individuals to engage in impression formation.

KEYWORDS:

• Computer-mediated communication
• hyperpersonal theory
• nonverbal cues
• personality
• homophily
• impression formation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr Archana Krishnan is Assistant Professor of Communication at the University at Albany, State University of New York. She received her PhD in Communication Sciences from the University of Connecticut with a specialization in computer-mediated communication, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship from Yale University in mobile health (mHealth). Her research interests are in computer-mediated communication, health communication, mHealth, and media effects. Her work has been published in numerous journals including the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Computers in Human Behavior, Health Communication, Mobile Media and Communication, and Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking [email: [email protected]].

Dr Daniel Scot Hunt is Assistant Professor of Communication at Worcester State University. He teaches courses in new media and mass communication. Currently, he serves as the Director of the Center for Community Media. His research on social media, interactive technology, and image sharing has been published in scholarly journals such as Mass Communication and Society, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Newspaper Research Journal, The Journal of Social Media in Society, and Computers in Human Behavior [email: [email protected]].