The influence of familiarity among group members, group atmosphere and assertiveness on uninhibited behavior through three different communication media

The study of the influence of new information technologies (NIT) on verbal communication has attracted attention from researchers. Results obtained in previous studies suggest that NIT communication media produce a deindividualization in group processes that enhances uninhibited behavior and flaming...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Computers in human behavior Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 141 - 159
Main Authors:	Orengo Castellá, V., Zornoza Abad, A.M., Prieto Alonso, F., Peiró Silla, J.M.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2000 Elsevier Science
Subjects:	Assertiveness Behavioral research Biological and medical sciences Familiarity among group members Flaming Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Groups Information technology Mathematical models Mediated communication Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry Psychology. Psychophysiology Social interactions. Communication. Group processes Social psychology Uninhibited behavior Video conferencing Flaming Familiarity among group members Mediated communication Uninhibited behavior Groups Assertiveness Human Environment familiarity Social behavior Language Social group Social interaction Man machine relation Social belonging Communication technology Computer mediated communication Verbal communication Social inhibition
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Summary:	The study of the influence of new information technologies (NIT) on verbal communication has attracted attention from researchers. Results obtained in previous studies suggest that NIT communication media produce a deindividualization in group processes that enhances uninhibited behavior and flaming. However, identity theory emphasizes the role of social context, challenging the interpretation that features of the media are the main antecedent of this behavior. The aim of the present paper is threefold: (1) to empirically test whether there are significant differences in the frequency of uninhibited behavior in groups working under face-to-face, videoconference and computer-mediated communication; (2) to test whether familiarity among group members, group climate, assertiveness and their interactions significantly predict uninhibited behavior in groups, regardless of the communication media; and (3) to analyze whether communication media moderate the prediction of these variables on uninhibited behavior. Uninhibited behavior has been operationalized, distinguishing between informal speech and flaming. The experiment was carried out with 28 groups of five subjects each. Results show that informal speech and flaming present higher rates in computer mediated communication than in videoconference and face-to-face. Social familiarity among group members significantly predicts mild uninhibited behavior regardless of the medium, but does not account for flaming. Communication media moderate the prediction power of familiarity and its interaction with assertiveness and group climate on mild uninhibited behavior (informal speech). Results are discussed in relation to the alternative theories and models formulated.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23
ISSN:	0747-5632 1873-7692
DOI:	10.1016/S0747-5632(00)00012-1