Self Esteem and Self Reference in Computer Mediated Communication

By Koehler, T.; Trimpop, R.

Theoretical foundation


1. Social Cues Filtered Out Hypothese(SCFO; Kiesler & Sproull 1986) – CMC as impersonal situation
① lack of social information
② de-individuation
③ difficulties concerning coordination and feedback
④ depersonalization and different focus of attention
⑤ conformity concerning norms belonging to the computer-subculture

2. Group Polarization (GP; Lea & Spears 1992) – CMC as small group process
① Reduced Social Cues / Group Polarization
② Depersonalization – less group identity & less group norms

3. Hyperpersonal Situation (HPS; Walther 1995) – CMC as communicational situation
① more socially desirable than FTF
② more positive judgment of computer mediated groups than FTF
③ Social Identity Deindividuation Theory(SIDE, Spears & Lea 192); the increase of subtle social-contextual & personal information due to the lack of communication of FTF contacts

4. The basic conditions of the MGP(minimal-group-paradigm by Tajfel 1973) → realized in most setting’s of CMC


The expectations on self reference & self esteem in CMC
⑴ self reference – social behavior is more self-referential than in FTF groups
 * Identity Scale
 * Membersip Scale
⑵ self esteem – more positive individual & private public self esteem in CMC than FTF communication

 * Private Collective Self Esteem
 * Public Collective Self Esteem Scale

Methods

2x2 multi-factorial design examining FIF vs. CMC settings
Participants
200 undergraduates at German University
45% females & 54% males, average age 22, from 18 to 32 years
randomly assigned to both conditions, tested through electronic mail & by paper and pencil


Luthanen’s and Crocker’s scales for comparing CMC vs. FTF communication
Factor1-“private collective self esteem”
Factor2-“public collective self esteem”
Factor3-“Identity/Identification scale”
Factor4-“Membership scale”


Two groups; CMC - operationalized by receiving the questionnaires as electronic mail
FTF – identical paper & pencil test sent home


Differences between groups concerning means
F1 – significant group difference
F2 – no difference
F3 – no difference
F4 – significant group difference

→ CMC groups shows more positive and its importance for group member’s personal identity is weaker.

Discussion & Finding

Has the study helped to resolve the originally stated problem to decide whether
and how CMC influences the self-concept of the communicators?

① CMC - not be regarded as generally impersonal
② CMC - not a one-dimensional concept


The difference between CMC and paper & pencil as for the private collective self-esteem
→ more important related to the sociological matter