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Comparative Studies on Nonverbal Communication in Computer Mediated Communication

Author: ZhaoZuo
Tutor: Michael Prosser
School: Shanghai International Studies University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: NVC CMC Interpersonal communication UAI Comparative study
CLC: G04
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2009
Downloads: 131
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Abstract

Computers and networks have been called the fourth medium in the present world, together with radio, television and newspapers. Communication mediated via computer ,which concerns the interaction with media as well as people, and is broadly used in business and Internet related industries , is one of the most remarkable ways of human interaction in the present world.Nonverbal communication plays an important role in interpersonal communication. So computer mediated communication (CMC) is a newly developed "special" interpersonal communication form and as such deserves more academic research. However, among the limited (both in quality and also in quantity) Chinese research about CMC, the verbal or linguistic part of CMC has been concentrated on too much, similar to what Kulich (2006) noted on the traditional orientation of Chinese IC research. In this sense, nonverbal communication in CMC should be discussed and explored more deeply.Based on the data collected from three nations: China, Finland, and the United States, this study compares interpersonal nonverbal communication with CMC nonverbal communication Through comparing the functions of nonverbal communication (NVC) in CMC and NVC in face to face communication (FTF) which are evaluated through several cases and statistics collected from real computer mediated communication environment, the study tested the following hypotheses:Hypothesis 1: NVC in CMC could share the same functions that NVC plays in FTF communication.Hypothesis 1 was confirmed by the survey responses collected from the above mentioned three nations, in total 158 residents. Corresponding to 6 types of NVC functions ( repeating, highlighting, complementing, contradicting and substituting ) in FTF communication, the questionnaire tested the recognition and acceptance of NVC function in CMC environment. The results showed that in majority of the cases, NVC in CMC share the same effect on that in FTF.By exploiting the underlining correlation between the national NVC recognition and acceptance and the culture dimensions, the study further quantitatively tested another two hypotheses that are related to Hofstede’s UAI Culture Dimension on the same examples and cases, which are employed by testing the hypothesis 1 :Hypothesis 2: The nation having lower uncertainty avoidance relates to more openness for nonverbal communication in CMC, while higher UAI side relates to more conservative tendency in using nonverbal communication in CMC.Hypothesis 3: Uncertainty avoidance in communication negatively relates to the degree of accuracy in understanding nonverbal communication in CMCThis study is a theoretical and quantitative pilot study which systematically examines the differences and underlying values suggested both in an intercultural and inter-group sense.The implication of the study could be interesting and valuable in an academic or in a practical way, especially for people working in the video game industry and E-business, as well as daily business or for personal online communication when negotiating and exchanging information.

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