Lesson 4

Mediated
Communication
and Its Impact on
Personal
Relationships
A closer look at the pace technology has revolutionized
communication says a lot about human relationships.

Technology enables us to use emails

and e-cards rather than waiting for
snail mails and cards. As well as with
the Phone calls can be a way of
correspondence instead of the
traditional letters.

Aside from this, technological

transformation also changes what can
be accomplished, creating new
relational goals and norms.
Cell Phones and
Personal
Cell phones have come to represent constant connection
to those who possess your number, and how freely
Relationships
people give out their cell phone numbers varies.

This is Liza Soberano. She

gives her cell phone
number only to her friends
and family. When at work,
she communicates with
clients and fellow artists
through her manager. You
do not have a copy of her
personal number. Whom
she gives her personal
Giving or denying someone access to your cell
phone number establishes both the boundaries and
the degree of closeness desired and expected
within the relationship.

Providing another person with your cell phone

number suggests a desire for connection with
that individual and perhaps an indication of the
type of relationship you wish to establish.
 Therefore, Thus, gives this
giving out generation a
phone numbers distinct quality of
can be being able to
symbolically express like or
done and can be dislike to
interpreted as a someone with
meaningful just the use of
action of cell phone
humans you numbers.
encounter.

5
Constant
Cell phones allow people to be in “perpetual contact”
Connection and with others can
with others. This constant connection
provide comfort and security in a relationship or can
Availability
lead to challenges.

New relational expectations developed as a result of

constant availability of cell phones, i.e., when
someone do “Seen” you on Messenger, it implies a
violation in your relationship with one another.
 Some may think that they are not
as important as they thought they
were to that person who “Seen”-
zone them on Messenger and/or
other messaging applications.

Others may even

use this
deliberately just to
show small passive-
aggressiveness
towards someone
else.

7
Shared
Experienc
Actual use of cell phones constitutes shared
technological experience. Especially when people
euse of the same technology.
correspond through text messages, the engage in the

Cell phones also enable people to engage in shared

experience even when physically separated. The
immediate transmission of voice, picture, sound, and
video provide people with a sense of experiencing an
event or occasion together.
 Online Communication takes a
variety of forms: e-mail, chat
groups, message boards, and
instant messaging. Although
varied, these forms share
apparent similarities among
them.

9
Characteristics of
Online
Communication
1. Lack of Nonverbal Cues

Nonverbal communication, such as vocalic and kinesics, is incredibly

important when crafting and interpreting messages. Lack of these
diminishes the determination of the meaning of the message.
Misunderstandings will more likely to occur during online
interactions.
In some instances, the lack of nonverbal cues
may actually be advantageous. People
become less concerned with such factors as
their appearance and less distracted or
troubled by the nonverbal response of others.
It may be more comforting that other forms of
interaction and can enhance people’s
willingness to communicate
with others.
2. Asynchronous Nature

It contains slight or prolonged delay, unlike the synchronous

communication where everything is happening in real time. The
people involved in communication must alternate between sending
and receiving. This nature provides more time to consider the
messages of others and to formulate messages.
According to Duck and McMahan (2009) there were two
observations between online communication and other
forms of interaction:

1. All forms of interaction have unique benefits and

challenges.
2. As observed with instant messages, how online
communication is used has as much to do with its
quality as its actual nature.
Personal Relationships
and Social Networks

One of the fears of online communication or internet use is that it

will diminish social interaction and lead to a disconnection with
social networks. Some research has suggested that the more time a
person spends on the Internet, the less time he or she spends with
friends, family, and colleagues. As well as a time displacer; increased
time spent using Internet means decreased time in doing other
activities.
Online communication enables people to maintain and enhance
existing relationships, as well as create new relationships.

According to Howard, Rainie & Jones, increased use of Internet

allows for increased interaction with friends and family not only
online but also face-to-face and over telephone.

As part of their study, Boase, Horrigan, Wellman, and Rainie (2006)

distinguished to types of connection in social networks: core ties
which include people with whom you have a very close relationship
with and whom you often seek assistance from when in need and
significant ties, though more than mere acquaintances represent a
somewhat weaker connection.