Date of Award
8-3-2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Merrill Morris - Chair
Second Advisor
Jaye Atkinson
Third Advisor
Ted Friedman
Abstract
This study examines three popular theories of computer-mediated communication (CMC) and how they relate to increased modes of interactivity. The research takes place in a highly interactive virtual world called "There." A total of 18 participants took part in the study. Using participant-observation and in-depth interviews, the study found that all three perspectives manifested themselves in both the reported and observed behavior. The three perspectives examined are the social information processing theory (SIPT), the social identity model of de-individuation effects (SIDE), and the hyperpersonal perspective. The study found that SIPT and the hyperpersonal perspective did the best job at explaining the observed behavior, although many factors of the SIDE model also helped.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/1061280
Recommended Citation
Agle, Mark, "Computer Mediated Communication: Interaction and Interactivity." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2006.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/1061280