Quote
"The relative absence of non-verbal cues (e.g. attractiveness) and the ability to link with others wuth similar interests, values and beliefs facilitates the formation of relationships based on deeper connections such as shared values and beliefs." (Owens, 2009)
Reaction
Online communication has positives and negatives. I don't completely agree with Owen's Internet and Anti-Social Behavior Theory Unfounded. I believe she is only focusing on the positive. I picked this quote because I do believe you have a better chance of forming valuable relationships online with people that may not ever get a chance to know you because they judge you on your appearance or status. Problem is when communicating online you can also be as fake as you want. You have more opportunity to lie and only present yourself the way you believe the person wants you to be. So, it works both ways. When communicating face to face you can watch hand gestures, body language, you can look a person in their eyes and feel their true passion about something or sense whether they are lying. Online expression can also be easily misinterpreted. Without the tone and volume in your voice sometimes what you are really trying to say can be interpreted differently. There are ways that you express yourself verbally that can not be duplicated with punctuation and written word. I believe that like many things you have to take the good with the bad. Ultimately the negatives and postives of online communication are equal. You get the luxuries of what you like about communicating this way but have to be aware of the negatives that come along with it.
Reference
Owens, L. (2009, April 23). Internet & anti-social behavior theory unfounded facebook, myspace, online: research refutes cyber socializing fears [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://laura-owens.suite101.com/internet--anti-social-behavior-theory-unfounded-a111897
Related ArticlesUsing Body Language
I agree with your comment. While there are a lot of positive things to communicating through social media, but there are also negative. When we communicate through social media we sometimes misunderstand messages which is why I believe it's sometimes better to communicate in person.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I know that people are able to form relationships online however they must still be very careful. You never know who you are going to meet online and if they are going to be the same person you think you met online.
ReplyDeleteI think you made some excellent points about some of the negative aspects of the ease with which someone can create an alternative identity on the Internet! Here is a link to a very powerful digital story about a young girl who got addicted to creating fake online identities.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reelworks.org/rw/watch/sex/