Social Networking for Interpersonal Life: A Competence-Based Approach to the Rich Get Richer Hypothesis

Abstract

Online and offline interactions are thought to draw from separate but complementary skill sets. This explains why individuals who are competent interpersonally tend to get more out of social networking. At least part of what they already know about interacting applies online. But whether computer-based competence has some bearing on real-world interactional capability is still open to debate. The present study tested associations between computer-mediated communication (CMC) competence and interpersonal competence over time. Results indicate that CMC competence was related to interpersonal competence and interpersonal contributed back to CMC competence. The forms of competence become mutually reinforcing. Using Facebook contributed to CMC competence as well, but not to interpersonal competence, at least not directly. Facebook use was related to interpersonal competence indirectly, through increasing CMC competence over time. Social networking is associated with feeling more capable of interacting through computers, and online proficiency has some application in the real world. This is good news for a withdrawn society that has become less competent socially. Developing either form of competence should contribute to its counterpart.