How do we perceive ourselves (and others) in the real and digital worlds in which we live?

This is a complex question addressing a wide range of relationships that can be held on and off line. In traditional online environments communication is text based. This limits the non-verbal cues that typically color face to face interactions.

There are two main theories about the effects of limited non-verbal cues in text based communication (Walther and Ganka 2005). The first is that text based communication suffers from the lack of non-verbal cues and users are not able to glean important information from communication relating to tone and attitude. The second suggests that users will adapt to the text based medium and create new ways to convey non-verbal cues.

While articles such as this suggest that the absence of non-verbal cues is causing some confusion in online communication, experienced users are adapting the the text based environment by adopting new techniques for conveying emotion and attitude.

Popularly, emoticons are used to add humor or suggest tone in text based conversations. These quick visuals allow users to post a smile or frown (or multiple other cues) to imbue a message with attitude.

As technologies advance, users in online communities are given more opportunities to personalize their online persona and adopt individual expressions. Users beware: despite detailed signals and personalized personas the online world can be extremely misleading.

IMBooster for iPone from Zoozz Media on Vimeo.

Walther, Joseph and Granka, Laura (2005). Let me count the ways: The interchange of verbal and non-verbal cues in computer-mediated and face-to-face affinity. Journal of Language and Social Psychology 2005; 24; 36. DOI: 10.1177/0261927X04273036