LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER-
MEDIATED COMMUNICATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Define what constitutes Computer-Mediated
Communication compared to other forms of
mediated communication.
2. Understand the defining characteristics of
Computer-Mediated Communication.
LESSON OVERVIEW:
The principal objective of this course is to provide
students with an understanding of how communication
technologies and relationships have become
interdependent with one another. Digital culture centers
on communication, with interaction and interactivity as
the lifeblood of mediated conversation. The original “killer
application” of the internet was email. We have since
evolved many, and much more sophisticated digital
modes of talking, listening, sending, and attending.
Computer mediated communication, thus, is at the
intersection of these new media technologies (e.g.
Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) and interpersonal
communication.
Issues central to the course include the impact of
relationships on communication technology use and vice
versa, romantic and family communication in the digital
world, friendships and online social support, identity and
impression management, virtual communities,
problematic computer mediated communication, and
privacy and security.
WHAT IS CMC?
 A working definition of CMC that, pragmatically
and in light of the rapidly changing nature of
communication technologies, does not specify
forms, describes it as “the process by which
people create, exchange, and perceive
information using networked
telecommunications systems that facilitate
encoding, transmitting, and decoding
messages” (December, 1996).
 This seems to encompass both the delivery
mechanisms, derived from communication
theory, and the importance of the interaction of
people that the technologies and processes
mediate (Naughton, 2000).
 It also provides for great flexibility in
approaches to researching CMC, as “studies of
cmc can view this process from a variety of
interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives by
focusing on some combination of people,
technology, processes, or effects” (December,
1996).
 The social aspects of the communication, rather
than the hardware or software, form the basis of
the more recent definitions. Jonassen et al. (1995)
 focus on the facilitation of sophisticated
interactions, both synchronous and asynchronous,
by computer networks in their definition of CMC.
One of the most overt examples of the move away
from a technological focus in definitions describes
it thus: “CMC, of course, is not just a tool; it is
at once technology, medium, and engine of
social relations. It not only structures social
relations, it Is the space within which the
relations occur and the tool that individuals
use to enter that space” (Jones, 1995).NG
 Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) is
defined as “the method of creating, exchanging
and perceiving the information, which aids encode,
decode and transmit the messages by means of
telecommunication network” (December, 1996)
and also includes “any human interaction, which
are symbolic text-based, directed or facilitated
over digitally-based technologies”. It involves,
Internet; email, instant messaging, cellular phone
text, multiuser interaction etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CMC
 Highly Interactive Communication
- CMC provides for complex processes of
interaction between participants. It combines the
permanent nature of written communication (which
in itself has implications for research processes)
with the speed, and often the dynamism of spoken
communications, for example via telephone.
The possibilities for interaction and feedback are
almost limitless, and are not constrained as they
are in some of the “electronic page turning”
forms of computer-aided instruction, wherein the
interaction is limited to a selection among a small
number of choices.
It is only the creativity, imagination, and personal
involvement of participants, that constrains the
potential of online discussions. The potential for
interaction in a CMC environment is both more
flexible and potentially richer than in other forms of
computer-based education.
The textual aspects of CMC, and In particular of
asynchronous CMC, support the possibility of
greater reflection in the composition of CMC than
is seen in many forms of oral discourse, with
implications for levels of learning.
The computer combines the permanent nature of
written communication with the speed and to some
extent the dynamicism of spoken telephone
communication. Unlike the limited interactivity
available in other forms of computer-based
learning such as CAI, the possibilities for
interaction and feedback are almost limitless,
being a function of the creativity and personal
 involvement of the participants in the on-line
discussion.
The feedback messages do not have to be pre-
prepared and stored, as is the case with CAI. Also,
the participants are able to some extent to express
within their messages not only the bare content
but also their personal viewpoints and, to a limited
extent, the emotional overtones that may be
present. Thus, the potential for interaction in a
CMC system is both more flexible and potentially
richer than in other forms of computer-based
education.
 Multi-Way Communication
- Another aspect of the communication process is
that it is essentially multiway communication. At
the very least, the communication is two-way, as in
the case of two people exchanging messages in
an electronic-mail environment. More often,
however, the communication is multiway, between
all the participants of a group who may receive
and respond to messages from all the other
participants.
One point that should be considered is whether
unlimited multiway communication is in fact always
desirable within an educational situation. Many
participants in computer conferencing have
expressed frustration and disappointment With the
difficulty they have had in sorting out relevant from
irrelevant information, because there are so many
participants contributing messages on a variety of
different topics. One approach to creating some
order in this chaos is through the development of
special-purpose educational CMC software
environments that may break down a complex
conference into subthemes and issues held in
separate “areas”,” as if in separate rooms in a
convention center (for example, CoSy,
PARTIcipate)
Another approach is through the use of hypertext
environments that automatically link the
incoming messages so that the users of the CMC
system can get a clear idea of the structure of
previous discussion. Such hypertext environments
have also been applied to breaking down a large
group of participants into small groups for
intensive discussion, replicating in the on-line
environment the classroom-based techniques of
seminars or case study (Romiszowski & Chang,
1992; Chang, 1994). The latest windows-based
conferencing systems allow participants to view a
list of messages in a conference and then to point
and click on those they wish to read. This
facilitates greater selectivity for users than the old
command line systems.
 Synchronous and Asynchronous
Communication
- Finally, the communication process may have
both synchronous and asynchronous
characteristics. By synchronous communication,
we understand communication between two or
more people in real time, such as classroom-
based, face-to-face discussion, or a telephone
conversation. In asynchronous communication, the
participants are not on-line at one and the same
time, as in the case of correspondence by letter or
fax.
The interesting aspect of using the computer as a
communication medium is that it is possible to use
it at will both as a synchronous communication
medium like a telephone or an asynchronous
communication medium like a letter-writing or fax
system, depending on what is ideally required by
the particular situation (Rawson, 1990; Sheffield &
McQueen, 1990). We will later explore these
characteristics of synchronous and asynchronous
communication in a computer-mediated
environment, identifying potential benefits in
different situations for each one of these
modalities.
LESSON 2: THEORIES AND METHODS OF
COMPUTER MEDIATED COMMUNICATION
Episode 1: Social Presence theory and F2F
Communication vs CMC
Episode 2: Media Richness and computer mediated
communications
Episode 3: Impressions Management In CMC
Episode 4: Hyperpersonal Communication
Theories and Methods of Computer Mediated
Communication
• Computer-mediated communication (CMC) systems, in
a variety of forms, have become integral to the initiation,
development, and maintenance of interpersonal
relationships. They are involved in the subtle shaping of
communication in almost every relational context.
• How CMC changes our messages. How they are
constructed, whether for specific relational purposes or
with lesser or greater effect, remain important questions
that continue to drive inquiry in interpersonal CMC
research.
• How does the Internet affect the likelihood of having
relationships? With whom? And how do we manage
these relationships?
• How do disclosures and affectations influence others
and ourselves, and how do online interpersonal
processes affect the instrumental and group dynamics
that technology enables? How do we exploit existing
technologies for relational purposes, and how do we
evade the potential dampening effects that technologies
otherwise may impose on relational communication? How
do technology developers incorporate features into
communication systems specifically designed to support
and enhance relational functions?
Social Presence Theory and Face-to-face
Communication VS. Computer Mediated
Communication
• Social presence theory is one of the earliest theories
in CMC, which can explain the kind of interactions during
a socio-collaborative work. Presence is considered an
integral part of mediated environments.
• Social presence is defined as the degree to which a
person is aware of another person in a mediated
communication context. This theory suggests that
different communication media enable different levels of
social presence experience.
• While face-to-face (F2F) communication has the
highest level of social presence, CMC has a
considerably lower level of social presence due to lack
of nonverbal cues and reduced feedback.
• SIS ( Social information seeking)
- human behavior in which people look for
information through social channels.
- also known as social search/social information
retrieval.
• Face-to-Face Communication - Has the highest level
of social presence, CMC has a considerably lower level
of social presence due to lack of nonverbal cues and
reduced feedback.
MEDIA RICHNESS AND COMPUTER MEDIATED
COMMUNICATION
• Media richness theory was first proposed by Richard
L. Daft and Robert H. Lengel.
• Richness is defined as “the potential information
carrying capacity of data or feedback in terms of the
number of channels they support” (e.g., audio,
visual).
• When information systems have the ability to stimulate
debate, clarify confusion and resolve potential conflicts
rather than just providing large amount of data, they can
reduce equivocality (Daft & Lengel, 1986).
• When information systems have the capacity to carry
large amounts of information, they can reduce uncertainty
(Daft & Lengel, 1986).
• According to Daft and Lengel’s theory, media richness
is a determined by:
 - The medium’s capacity for immediate feedback
- The number of cues and channels available
- Language variety
- The degree to which intent is focused on the
recipient.
- Uncertainty and Equivocality
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
REINSTATING SOCIO-EMOTIONAL CONTENT IN
CMC
• New identity markers - People pay attention not only
to the time-stamps in emails, but also to clues revealed
about someone from their email address (e.g. if it ends in
<gov>, <com>, or <edu>) and their chatroom nicknames
because, as research shows, people often use a ‘nick’
which conveys information about them (e.g. <hotguy>,
<proudpinoy> , or <engrjay>).
• Bending language rules - Even with nothing but text,
we can still tell a great deal about people from the
language they use – their vocabulary, their grammar,
their style. If we can’t see social cues like age, sex and
looks, we can always just ask. In CMC, this is known as
‘MORFing’ (i.e. ‘are you Male OR Female?’) and often
appears in the form of A/S/L? (‘age, sex, location’).
• Going multimodal - It is also common that people
supplement traditional, text-based CMC with other
channels of communication, so that online chatters often
‘fill in the gaps’ with email, snail-mail, telephone calls,
personal homepages and even face-to-face meetings.
Besides, much of the time, people use online
communication to maintain preexisting offline
relationships
HYPERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
• The hyperpersonal model of CMC (Walther, 1996)
proposes a set of concurrent theoretically based
processes to explain how CMC may facilitate
impressions and relationships online that exceed the
desirability and intimacy that occur in parallel off-line
interactions.
• The model follows four common components of the
communication process to address how CMC may affect
cognitive and communication processes relating to
message construction and reception:
1. Effects due to receiver processes
• When receiving messages from others in CMC,
an individual may tend to exaggerate perceptions
of the message sender. In the absence of the
physical and other cues that face-to-face
encounters provide, rather than fail to form an
impression, receivers fill in the blanks with regard
to missing information. This often takes the form of
idealization if the initial clues about another person
are favorable.
2. Effects among message senders
 • Text-based CMC facilitates selective self
presentation. Online, one may transmit only cues
that an individual desires others to have. It need
not be apparent to others what one’s physical
characteristics are (unless one discloses them
verbally), nor do individuals generally transmit
unconscious undesirable interaction behaviors
such as interruptions, mismanaged eye contact, or
nonverbal disfluencies of the kind that detract from
desired impressions face-to-face.
• Instead, CMC senders may construct messages
that portray themselves in preferential ways,
emphasizing desirable characteristics and
communicating in a manner that invites
preferential reactions.
3. Attributes of the channel
• The third dimension of the hyperpersonal model
involves characteristics of the channel and how
CMC as a medium contributes to the deliberate
construction of favorable online messages.
• One part of the channel factor focuses on the
mechanics of the CMC interface, suggesting that
users exploit the ability to take time to contemplate
and construct messages mindfully.
• In many CMC applications (especially
asynchronous systems), users may take some
time to create optimally desirable messages
without interfering with conversational flow, very
much unlike the effects of face-to-face response
latencies.
• The hyperpersonal model further suggests that
CMC users capitalize on the ability to edit, delete,
and rewrite messages to make them reflect
intended effects before sending them.
4. Feedback effects - When a receiver gets a
selectively self-presented message and idealizes
its source, that individual may respond in a way
that reciprocates and reinforces the partially
modified personae, reproducing, enhancing, and
potentially exaggerating them. The way the
dynamics of these reciprocated expectations may
modify participants’ character was suggested to
reflect the process of behavioral confirmation.
BEHAVIORAL DISINHIBITION
• Disinhibition on the Internet could be defined as
behavior that is less inhibited than comparative behavior
in real life and that is characterized by an apparent
reduction in concern about socially favorable self-
presentation and the positive judgement of others
(Joinson, 1998).
PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIORS RELATED TO INTERNET biography, a Curriculum Vitae, or job related data
USE AND CMC on their personal homepages (Dominick, 1999).
• FLAMING - One of the adverse phenomena in CMC is
related to using verbal expressions that can cause hurt or
insult to others. It can cause Internet users to feel free to
express anger or hatred in the form of "Flaming" (Reid,
1998)
LESSON 3: FORMS AND AREAS OF CMC
FORMS OF CMC
• AGGRESSION
1. WIRED AND WIRELESS
- Hostile actions over the Internet may be triggered by the
frustration that is commonly experienced when using this TRANSMISSION MEDIA
medium. Failure of computer hardware or software is a - total path through which data goes from sender to
common cause of frustration for users, as well as receiver
disruption or the low speed of the communication link
with the Internet. - acts as a medium to transfer information from one part
to the other (communication channel)
- Also, the time lag in confirmation of a receipt of a
message, or when waiting for a full reply to a message,
can sometimes lead to disappointment or anger WIRED COMMUNICATION MEDIA
expressed toward the interaction partner(s).
- also known as Guided media
- more stable than wireless media
• INAPPROPRIATE SELF-DISCLOSURE
- used for professional purposes
- One of the consequences of uninhibited behavior
and poor impression management in CMC is - a bit expensive than wireless in terms of maintenance
inappropriate self-disclosure. EX: telephone networks, cable television or internet
- Self-descriptions via the Internet are mostly related access, and fiber-optic communication
to e-mail, discussion forums, and personal home
pages. Most Internet users present only a brief
TYPES OF WIRED MEDIA
1. Twisted Pair Cable
- made up of insulated copper arranged in a spiral pattern
(one wire is used for data transmission and one for
ground)
- 2 types of twisted pair cable; unshielded twisted pair
(UTP), and shield twisted pair (STP)
- UTP cables are cheaper than STP and most common
twisted pair used in computer networks and in
telecommunication
Applications. Some applications of twisted pair cables:
1. Telephone systems: to provide voice and data
channels.
2. LANs use twisted-pair cables.
3. The DSL lines used by the telephone companies also
use the unshielded twisted pair cables to provide
extremely high data rate connections.
2. Co-axial Cable
- most common type of transmission media that is used in
various applications like TV wires
- made up of copper wires for carrying the higher
frequency signals this wire is covered with an insulated
foil cover
- signal can be carried over long distances with little
interference or loss
Applications. Some applications of coaxial cables:
1. Cable TV
2. Phone lines
3. Cable internet
4. HAM Radio
5. RF systems (radio frequency)
3. Fiber-optic Cables
- highly efficient and advanced data transmission cables
that allow the
- transfer of data in a very large volume
- thin pipes made up of glass or plastic known as optic
fibers and data or information flows via light in these
cables
- it has 2 types; single-mode fibers and multimode fibers
Applications. Some applications of Fiber-optic cables:
1. One of the most popular and important uses of Fiber-
optic cables is the INTERNET.
2. Television broadcasting. These cables are very much
suitable for transmitting signals for high-definition
televisions because of their greater bandwidth and
speed.
3. Surgical operations in medical. These cables are used
in various fields of medicine and research purposes as
their cost is low as compared to other cables.
4. It is used in industries and in defense services also
these cables are of great use.
WIRED NETWORK – A wired network employs wires to
link devices to the internet or another network, such as
laptops or desktop PCS.
Where you physically plug your computer or docking
station into an ethernet cord or wall jack
ADVANTAGES OF WIRED NETWORK
• VISIBILITY – A wired network is not visible to other
wired networks
• SPEED – Wired networks are generally much faster
than wireless networks
• SECURITY – With the protection of firewalls and other
security devices, a wired network is broadly protected
DISADVANTAGES OF WIRED NETWORK
• LACK OF MOBILITY – A wired network creates an
environment where you cannot pick up your laptop and
move to a different location in your space
• INSTALLATION – Network installation can be a much
longer process and is ideally done at the very beginning
of construction
• MAINTENANCE – Maintenance to the physical server
of the network requires consistent attention to maintain
connectivity, capacity, storage, and workload.
• WIRES – Visible wires is not aesthetically pleasing
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - it involves the
transmission of information over a distance without the
help of wires, cables or any other forms of electrical
conductors.
TYPES OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
1. Satellite Communication - Satellite
communication is a crucial form of wireless
communication. By means of satellites, people all
over the earth can communicate with each other.
2. Infrared Communication - Is present in most
homes in the form of a television remote control.
 3. Broadcast radio - The most famous form of
wireless transmission on our list, broadcast radio,
was probably the first kind of wireless
communication. Radio transmitters send out data
in the form of radio waves to receiving antennae.
4. Wi-Fi - Wi-Fi internet is a low powered wireless
electronic network. These are available in almost
every shopping mall and cafe in the world.
Essentially a physical wired network is connected
to a router. This creates a highly localized and low
power wireless network.
5. Mobile Communications Systems - The
burgeoning mobile phone industry uses similar
technology to Wi-Fi but on a much grander and
safer scale. Mobile phone companies provide
coverage to customers nationwide or even
international scale.
6. Bluetooth Technology - Bluetooth is a relatively
new technology but is becoming more and more
prevalent. It is essentially a simple method to send
information across a short distance.
WIRELESS NETWORK – made up of electromagnetic
waves (EM Waves) or infrared waves. Antennas or
sensors will be present on all wireless devices.
Cellular phones, wireless sensors, TV remotes, satellite
disc receivers, and laptops with WLAN card are all
examples of wireless devices.
ADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS CONNECTION
1. Cost-Effectiveness - Wired communication entails the
use of connection wires. In wireless networks,
communication does not require elaborate physical
infrastructure or maintenance practices. Hence the cost is
reduced.
2. Flexibility and Accessibility - Wireless
communication enables people to communicate
regardless of their location. It helps easy accessibility as
the remote areas where ground lines can’t be properly
laid, are being easily connected to the network.
3. Convenience - Wireless communication devices like
mobile phones are quite simple and therefore allow
anyone to use them, wherever they may be. There is no
need to physically connect anything in order to receive or
pass messages.
• COST – The cost of wireless is largely based on the
amount of space where connectivity is needed.
• INSTALLATION – While initial structured cabling
installation is extensive, adding or upgrading wireless
systems is much easier.
• MOBILITY – Seamless. Freedom
DISADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS CONNECTION
• VISIBILITY – One network is visible to the other which
ca affect the performance of your connection.
• SECURITY – Wireless networks are less secure than
wired
• SPEED – While wireless internet keeps getting faster
and faster a hardwired connection will always be the
fastest option.
• RELIABILITY AND STABILITY – Wireless networks
are prone to interference by other networks, wireless
enabled devices, and objects such as walls that can
obstruct the connection.
2. INTRANET AND INTERNET
INTERNET – is a global system that uses TCP/IP
protocol suite to link various types of electric devices
worldwide. The internet is a collection of interconnected
devices that are spread across the globe. The internet is
a network of networks which consist of public, private,
sales, finance, academic, business, and government
networks. The internet is a type of network and called a
network of networks.
- is a global network of computers interconnected to one
another to communicate and share information publicly.
EX: People use internet to browse on Facebook, watch
YouTube videos, read articles online and shop online.
FEATURES OF THE INTERNET
• A global network which connects millions of computers
• The internet is decentralized
• Every computer over the internet is independent
• There are various ways to access the internet
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNET
ADVANTAGES:
● Access to information
● Low cost of marketing
DISADVANTAGES:
● Malware and data breach
● Privacy
● Unreliable filters or Information
INTRANET – is a private network which gives employees
in a company the ability to organise information, manage
documents, shares calendars and to-do list. It normally
runs in a client/server environment in a local area
network
In intranet, every compute is connected via the LAN and
has something known as MAC address. It is a number
that allows you to identify the place where the computer ● Provides platform independence
is located.
● Data management is faster to access and reliable
- is a private and internal network that enables people to
DISADVANTAGES:
store, organize, and share information within an
organization. ● You will not be able to communicate with external users
EX: A company wants to schedule a meeting with its ● Costly implementation
employees and vendors to introduce a new product. It
uses intranet features to invite its sales, customer ● Viruses and malware can be easily spread if not
service, and field service staff to a meeting to introduce handled properly
the new product.

INTERNET vs. INTRANET

FEATURES OF THE INTRANET INTERNET:
• Intranet is fast and accurate • Connect different network of computers simultaneously
• Most website with large graphical images, videos, and • Multiple users
sound, process fast on Intranet
• More number of visitors
• Your firewall protects it from external threats
• Public network
• It is easy to monitor with your organization
• Accessible
• Easy communication across the company from all levels
• Unlimited information
• Helps to share ideas and discussions.
• Using social media on your phone or researching
resources via Google
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF INTRANET
ADVANTAGES: INTRANET:
● Faster collaboration & communication • Owned by private firms
• Limited users - It is required that the transmitter or the sender and
the receiver of the message must be present at
• Less number of visitors
the same meeting.
• Private network
EX: Instant messages, Computer, Video conferencing,
• Not anyone can have an access and Audio

• Limited information - computer mediated communication in a synchronous

form occurs when all parties involved are online at the
• A company used to communicate internally with its same time.
employees and share information.
AKA: Direct Communication
EX: telephone conversations, video conference
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTRANET & INTERNET-
The key difference between the Intranet and Internet is
that internet has a wide network of computers available
BENEFITS OF SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION
for all and has unlimited users while intranet is a network
of computers designed for a certain group of users. • Human friendly
• Useful in crisis situations
• Makes brainstorming easier
3. SYNCHRONOUS AND ASYNCHRONOUS
SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION
ADVANTAGES OF SYNCHRONOUS
- it is an exchange of interaction between two or COMMUNICATION
more people
● Can develop sense of closeness
- Its nature is that it necessitates immediate ● Can obtain sensitive information or helpful criticism
response
● Brainstorming sessions
DISADVANTAGES OF SYNCHRONOUS • Enables flexibility
COMMUNICATION
• Respects recipients time
• Difficult to arrange
• Provides a context
• Unsuccessful multitasking
• No need to scheduling
• Dragging the focus
• Unnecessary meetings
ADVANTAGES OF ASYNCHRONOUS
• Time zone differences COMMUNICATION
• Difficult to schedule meeting ● Flexibility to reply all you can
● Respects recipients time
ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION – contrast of ● Provide a context
synchronous. A person may give information but there is
● No need to scheduling
a time lag before the respondents or the people who are
involved within the conversation to give its response.
EX: Text messages, Discussion Forums, Email, and DISADVANTAGES OF ASYNCHRONOUS
Mailing lists COMMUNICATION
- computer mediated communication in asynchronous • Misunderstanding
form occurs with time constraints--meaning all involved
parties don't need to be present or available at the same • Disconnected communication
exact time. • No sense of emergency
EX: e-mails, discussion boards, text messaging via cell
phones

BENEFITS OF ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION

 COMPARISON of SYNCHRONOUS and
ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION in ONLINE
CLASSROOM SETTING
SYNCHRONOUS:
• We are learning the same lesson at the same time with
the presence of your instructor and classmates.
• Same as the traditional classroom setting that we all
learn something, but we don’t interact personally.
• It involves video conferencing, live chats, and breakout
rooms.
• Responses are quickly given.
ASYNCHRONOUS:
• Our communication does not happen at the same time
at same place.
• We learn at our own pace.
• It involves pre-recorded lessons, blogs or other
messages that we can open in our most convenient time.
• Responses are not given immediately.
DIFFERENCE OF SYNCHRONOUS AND
ASYNCHRONOUS - The key difference between
synchronous and asynchronous communication is
synchronous communications are scheduled, real-time
interactions by phone, video, or in-person. Asynchronous
communication happens on your own time and doesn’t
need scheduling.
CMC AT VARIOUS LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION
1. CMC AT THE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION LEVEL
MEDIATED INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION - it is
characterized by the use of technology, as technology is
used as a medium in between the interpersonal
communication.
EX: telephone calls, emails, video calls, and letters
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEDIATED
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
1. Independent individuals - each person has their own
motivations, expectations, and interpretations of
communication
2. Inherently rational - meant to be understood
3. Inescapable - always communicating
4. Involves personal choice - you can use how you
communicate
TYPES OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
1. Verbal communication - uses language, words,
sentences, and voice as the medium of communication
2. Nonverbal communication - uses body language,
facial expressions, tone, and pauses in speech as the
medium of communication
HOW DOES CMC AFFECT INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION?
According to Kim, raises is how much " Verbal
Expressions Or Social Cues"
ADVANTAGE - The immediate communication is the
source that helps the person to communicate with
multiple people at one time. This helps people to build
their networks with lots of people.
DISADVANTAGE - The mediate communication has
decreased the interpersonal relationships among the
people. People are just chatting on social sites and
communicating with each other through it. This also
causes the misunderstanding among the people as the
person cannot see the facial expressions while
communicating.
2. CMC AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL
COMMUNICATION LEVEL
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION - refers to the
sending and receiving of messages among
interconnected individuals within a specific environment
or setting in order to achieve individual and shared goals
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
1. FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNICATION -
This is a simple type or category of organizational
communication. It all comes down to the language
and tone that an organization uses when
communicating.
• FORMAL COMMUNICATION - is often used when
communicating with customers and clients, especially
during an official press release. Formal communication
follows the specific organizational structure, such as
mass communication through email campaign or at a
meeting.
• INFORMAL COMMUNICATION - also known as
“grapevine” communication, is really essential, as it is the
most common way when organizational communication
occurs.
2. DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION -
Organizational communication is simply a
directional. This means that the way we
 communicate changes depending on the position
of the person we’re talking to. There are three
types of directional communication: downward,
upward, and horizontal/lateral.
• DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION - refers to an
employee communicating with another employee in a
lower-ranking position. Downward communication is most
commonly used in an instructional sense
• UPWARD COMMUNICATION - is the reversal of
downward communication. Upward communication is
effective because it can help build a more equal
workplace.
• HORIZONTAL COMMUNICATION - refers to the
communication of employees on the same hierarchical
level.
3. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION
• INTERNAL COMMUNICATION - focus on the way
employees interact with one another. Internal
communication focuses on employee engagement and
employee communication.
• EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION - applies to the way an
organization communicates with the outside world.
TOOLS OF DIGITAL ORGANIZATIONAL
COMMUNICATION
• ELECTRONIC MAIL/EMAIL - commonly shortened to
“email,” is a communication method that uses electronic
devices to deliver messages across computer networks.
"Email" refers to both the delivery system and individual
messages that are sent and received.
ADVANTAGE & DISADVANTAGE
Advantage: Cheap, reliable, and supports most regular
attachments with ease. You can send a quick note to a
colleague or a mass email announcing upcoming updates
• Improved communication, information sharing, and
collaboration
• Streamlined tracking of requests
• Testing environment for new ideas
• Improved corporate culture and
• Return of investment from low implementation and
operating costs
Disadvantage:
Long response time
• A lack of proper ownership or ownership being
distributed among groups complicates network
responsibilities and management.
• A lack of mobile device and remote support creates
problems, including limiting the ability of remote workers
to access information on the intranet.
SURVEYS - To investigate the opinions or experience by
asking questions
CALL CENTER - are places where agents work to
answer customers' questions and solve their problems
over the phone or via other means of communication
LIVE CHAT - is a technology that provides companies
with a way to interact with users when they visit an
organization's media properties.
TEXT MESSAGE - is the act of sending short,
alphanumeric communications between cellphones,
pagers or other hand-held devices, as implemented by a
wireless carrier.
SOCIAL NETWORK - The term social networking refers
to the use of internet-based social media sites to stay
connected with friends, family, colleagues, or customers
SOCIAL MEDIA - Social media refers to the means of
interactions among people in which they create, share,
and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual
communities and networks
MOBILE APP PUSH NOTIFICATION - A mobile app
push notification is a message sent by an application to a
customer's mobile device. Mobile push messages can be
used to increase engagement with your app, and improve
customer conversion and retention.
CHAT BOTS - A chatbot is a computer program that
simulates and processes human conversation (either
written or spoken), allowing humans to interact with
digital devices as if they were communicating with a real
person.
3. CMC AT THE MASS COMMUNICATION LEVEL
COMPUTER AS MASS COMMUNICATION TOOL
• To communicate with friends and family using email,
Twitter, Facebook, Skype, and so on.
• To gather information via the news, a Google search,
and so on.
• To learn something on educational websites or via a
university video.
• To work (perhaps remotely while sitting in your jammies
at home) when you've called in sick or on a business trip
abroad.
• To be entertained, whether it's on YouTube, Netflix, or
somewhere else.
- Via the internet, computers spread content created on
the computer (words or graphics) to the world at large. In
other words, computers are a tool for mass
communication. The internet is critical here. Think about
the days before the internet. Computers existed, but they
weren't really a tool for mass communication.
MASS COMMUNICATION - the transfer of messages
through larger media platforms i.e Television, Radio, Print
Media, and also via technology-driven channels like
News Portals, Youtube Channels, Facebook and
Instagram Pages, etc. to a large audience.
EX: journalism, entertainment, social media, books,
advertising
STAGES OF MASS COMMUNICATION
1. Professional communicators create various types of
"messages" for presentation to individuals.
2. The messages are disseminated in a "quick and
continuous" manner through some form of mechanical
media.
3. The messages are received by a vast and diverse
audience.
4. The audience interprets these messages and gives
them meaning.
5. The audience is influenced or changed in some
manner.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MASS COMMUNICATION
● Covers large area
● Heterogeneous audience (ages, interest, needs,
feelings, caste creeds, etc.)
● Use of tools of mass communication
● Doesn’t have a direct feedback method
● No discrimination is there
● Fast source of communication
● Circulates common message
FUNCTIONS OF MASS COMMUNICATION
TO INFORM THE AUDIENCE - Dissemination of
information is the primary function of the news media.
TO EDUCATE THE AUDIENCE - Internet is playing a
vital role in the process of education.
TO ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE - Mass media is a
great source of entertainment-based programs.
TO PERSUADE THE AUDIENCE - Mass media is used
to mold public opinion in certain way
TO TRANSMIT DIFFERENT CULTURES - Through
individuals, communication becomes part of the collective
experience of groups, audiences of all kinds and finally
the masses. Mass communication plays an important role
in the transmission of culture from one generation to
another.
References:
- Hirst, K. (2018). Understanding Mass Media and Mass
Communication. Understanding Mass Media and Mass
Communication (thoughtco.com)
- Cheprasov, A. (2022). The Computer as a Mass
Communication Tool. The Computer as a Mass
Communication Tool - Video & Lesson Transcript |
Study.com
- Yadav, A. (2022). What is Mass Communication?
Meaning, Define, Function, Types & Example.What is
Mass Communication? Meaning, Define, Function, Type,
Example (edukedar.com)