Post #2
2). How do anonymity, group size, and proximity influence participation and communication in CMC groups?
Some people have anxiety when speaking to others in public. For those people, computer mediated communication is probably their best way of getting through to others. I have a friend who is really shy in person, but very talkative on the phone, through texting, emails, and Facebook chat. For her, computer mediated communication is easiest. Things like anonymity, group size, and proximity are not an issue through CMC because you are not physically in conversation with other people. People who have problems with face to face communication don't have to worry about revealing their identity because of the anonymity that comes with CMC. Group size is also an issue that some people have with face to face communication. My friend, who I mentioned earlier, not only gets nervous when speaking in public, but the larger the group, the quieter she remains. I don't have an issue with this at all, so it is somewhat difficult for me to understand how this can cause anxiety for some people. Also, proximity when speaking to someone is a huge thing that makes people uncomfortable, and leads them to prefer CMC. I have no problem with proximity, but occasionally you run into a person who stands a little to close when speaking to you, and that bothers me. There are general social boundaries that some people just don't understand.
You really brought up an interesting point how computer-meditated communication (CMC) can be beneficial for those who are shy in person. Working in groups, I have encountered assumptions made by others that being shy is a bad thing when in reality it is not. When working in face-to-face (F2F) groups, being shy can hinder the person from being vocal and contributing, so with CMC, it enables the person to find their voice and be a productive member of the group. Whether through an online chat or posting, CMC creates an outlet of equality for every group member to express freely and without judgment that would be felt in person with F2F. You said it best that the different aspects of CMC such as anonymity, group size and proximity are not an issue since there is no actual physical contact. Well said!
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