COmputer-Mediated Communication: A Test of the Impact of Social Cues on the Choice of Medium for Resolving Misunderstandings

Abstract

As communication technology improves, computer-mediated communication (CMC) increases in use for interpersonal interaction. While there are newer forms of CMC that interface with audio, graphic, and video data, for the most part text-based CMC (i.e., e-mail, IRC, other text chat) remains the most common and frequently used. The increased use of text-based CMC medium is not without its problems, as is the case with any other communication media. Text only CMC lacks the capacity to transmit nonverbal cues. This study explores CMC medium in communication misunderstandings. The findings indicate that although participants acknowledge the lack of nonverbal cues as a source of misunderstandings during interactions, they still express the willingness to use text-based CMC in resolving misunderstandings. This article also provides discussions, implications, and recommendations.