Instant Messaging and Interpersonal Relationships

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer focuses on the way in which instant messaging has affected and is possibly changing the nature of interpersonal relationships in the contemporary communications environment. The study focuses on the 18-25 age groups as this is the demographic that has grown up with modern technology as an endemic part of their lives and who are most at home with the technology - and most directly affected by it. The paper also points out that there is a close correlation between the topic of interpersonal relationships in instant messaging and aspects of interpersonal communications. The writer notes that the fact that digital communications and interpersonal connections are closely bound in the modern world makes it difficult to discuss these two aspects separately. Therefore, this study also focuses on both interpersonal relationships and modes of communication and their points of intersection.

Outline:
Introduction
IM, Interpersonal Relationships and Communication
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In other words, the assertion is that while instant massaging facilitates more extensive modes of communications, at the same time it impacts on important aspects of interpersonal behavior that are seen to be detrimental to healthy and positive relationship formation.
"This is a view that may be seen to be somewhat extreme but it does have an element of truth that is reiterated to a certain extent in a number of modern studies. This view also states that there is a certain risk to interpersonal relationships in IM. This refers to the view that we are losing the importance of face-to-face contact and the intimacy that result from conventional interrelationships."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Biocca, F., Harms, C., Burgoon, J. (2003). Toward a MoreRobust Theory and Measure of Social Presence: Review and Suggested Criteria. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 12(5), 456 480.
• Bonka S. Quinn A., Kraut R., Kiesler S. and Shklovski I. Teenage Communication in the Instant Messaging Era. Retrieved August 16, 2007, from http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~kraut/RKraut.site.files/articles/Boneva04-TeenCommunicationInIMEra.pdf
• Grinter, R., & Palen, L. (2002). Instant Messaging in teen life. Proceedings of the 2002 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work. Retrieved August 12, 2007, from http://portal.acm.org/ft_gateway.cfm?id=587082&type=pdf&coll=Portal&dl=ACM&CFID=29733676&CFTOKEN=51420973.
• Guidry K.R. Instant Messaging: Its Impact on and Recommendations for Student Affairs. Retrieved August 16, 2007, from http://www.studentaffairs.com/ejournal/Fall_2004/InstantMessaging.html
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More papers on Instant Messaging and Interpersonal Relationships:

• Analytical Essay # 130270 : "Psychology and Interpersonal Relationships"
• Article Review # 134185 : "Instant Messaging Research"
• Research Paper # 119657 : "Computer-Mediated Communication"

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