Social Information Processing Theory

A highly objective theory in the socio-psychological tradition.

Theorist: Joseph Walther

Core question: Is it possible to build strong interpersonal relationship only online (without nonverbal cues)? - CMC [Computer Mediated Communication]

CMC: More than computer.

1. Assumption

Assumption: Relationships grow only to the extent that people can gain information about each other.

Social Information —> Impression Formation —> Relationship Development

• Previous studies about CMC used a cues-filtered-out approach
  • Communication is impersonal or task-oriented
  • F2F communication is richest due to verbal and nonverbal cue access
  • Unclear social context cues leads to flaming or toxicity

2. Feature of CMC

• Verbal cues can replace nonverbal cues is a key feature of CMC that allows us to convey the same meaning.
• Extended time: allows us to exchange social information on our own time.
  • We can be more personal, and we can pause the time.
  • People can develop their relationship through CMC if they can anticipate that they will have the opportunity of talking with others in the future.

3. Hyper-personal Perspective: CMC relationships may be more intimate than those developed face-to-face

• sender: selective self-presentation.
• receiver: over-attribution of similarity - we tend to think that we are similar.
• channel: allows people to communication asynchronically
• feedback: Self-fulfilling prophecy – Both parties from positive relationships with each other are likely to play into the impressions, making it come true, in order to achieve a positive outcome.

4. Warranting value: a reason to believe that the information is true

low warrant information: the information that can be manipulated easily

5. Critique

• SIP doesn’t consider modality weaving: We have many types of CMC.
• SIP lacks explanatory mechanism beyond the lab.

Relational Dialectics Theory

A highly interpretive theory in the tradition of socio-cultural.

Theorists: Leslie Baxter & Mikhail Bakhtin

1. Relational dialectics

Concept: the dynamics and unceasing struggle between discourses about interpersonal relationships.

Discourses can make up our relationships, and discourses can compete with each other.

constitutive dialogue: communication that creates, sustains, and alters relationship and the social world.

2. Main dialectics to affect relationships

Integration <—> Separation

Stability <—> Change

Expression <—> Non-expression

e.g., traditional vs. modern; secretcy vs. transparency.

3. Internal dialectics vs. External dialectics

External: competing the dialectics between the couple and their communities

Internal: competing the dialectics between the couple themselves

1）Internal dialectics

Connection — Autonomy

Certainty — Uncertainty

Openness — Closedness

2）External dialectics

Inclusion — Seclusion

Conventionality — Uniqueness

Revolution — Concealment

4. seperation & Interplay

Seperation: when we voice different discourses at different times

Interplay: when we voice different discourses at the same time

5. Critique

• RDT studies rely on self-report
• Lacks aesthetic appeal: