How are We Really Getting to Know One Another? Effect of Viewing Facebook Profile Information on Initial Conversational Behaviors Between Strangers
Keywords:
social media, social network sites, Facebook, relationship initiation, acquaintanceship process.Abstract
Previous studies have conjectured the positive effects of social network websites (SNSs) on relationship initiation and the development of the acquaintanceship process. The present study provides empirical evidence to support these touted benefits of SNSs by examining the impact of viewing partners’ SNS profile information on initial interactions between strangers, specifically focusing on three conversational behaviors, viś-a-viś, question-asking, self-disclosures, and topics of conversation. 82 unacquainted individuals were paired to form 41 dyads that were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the first condition, 22 dyads viewed their conversational partners’ Facebook profiles before having a text-based online conversation with them, while in the other condition, 19 dyads had a conversation without viewing each others’ Facebook profiles. Results showed that viewing each others’ Facebook profiles led individuals to ask fewer questions but voluntarily share more intimate and personal information on a broader range of topics with each other during initial conversations compared to individuals who did not view each others’ Facebook profiles. Implications of these conversational behaviors on changing the dynamics of the acquaintanceship process and the overall trajectory of relationship development in the novel setting of SNSs are discussed.
References
References
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Andersen, P., & Wang, H. (2005). Self-disclosure in long-distance friendships: A comparison between face-to-face and computer-mediated communication. Paper presented at the conference of the International Communication Association, New York, NY.
Antheunis, M. L., Peter, J., Schouten, A. P., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2009). Intervening processes between computer-mediated communication and interpersonal attraction: An experimental comparison. In Annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Chicago, Illinois.
Antheunis, M. L., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2010). Getting acquainted through social network sites: Testing a model of uncertainty reduction and social attraction. Computers in Human Behavior, 26, 100-109.
Bell, R. A., & Daly, J. A. (1984). The affinity‐seeking function of communication. Communications Monographs, 51, 91-115.
Berger, C. R., & Bradac, J. J. (1982). Language and social knowledge: Uncertainty in interpersonal relationships. London: Edward Arnold.
Berger, C. R., & Calabrese, R. J. (1975). Some explorations in initial interaction and beyond: Toward a developmental theory of interpersonal communication. Human Communication Research, 1, 99-112.
Berger, C. R., Gardner, R. R., Clatterbuck, G. W., & Schulman, L. S. (1976). Perceptions of information sequencing in relationship development. Human Communication Research, 3, 29-46.
Berger, C. R., & Kellermann, K. A. (1983). To ask or not to ask: Is that a question? Communication yearbook, 7, 342-368.
boyd, d. m., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13, 210–230.
Byrne, D. (1971). The attraction paradigm. New York: Academic Press.
Dindia, K. (1983). Reciprocity of self-disclosure: A sequential analysis. In M. Burgoon (Ed.), Communication yearbook 6 (pp. 506–528). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Dipboye, R. L., Fontenelle, G. A., & Garner, K. (1984). Effects of previewing the application on interview process and outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 118-128.
Dubow B. (2007) Confessions of ‘‘Facebook stalkers.’’ Retrieved from www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2007–03- 07-facebook-stalking_N.htm
Dollard, J., & Mowrer, O. (1947). A method of measuring tension in written documents. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 42, 323-332.
Douglas, W. (1990). Uncertainty, information seeking, and liking during initial interaction. Western Journal of Speech Communication, 54, 66–81.
Douglas, W. (1994). The acquaintanceship process: An examination of uncertainty, information seeking, and social attraction during initial conversation. Communication Research, 21, 154-176.
Ellison, N. B., Lampe, C., & Steinfield, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook “friends:” Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites.Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 12, 1143-1168.
Ezumah, B. A. (2013). College students’ use of social media: Site preferences, uses and gratifications theory revisited. International Journal of Social Science, 4(5), 27–34.
Goffman, I. (1967). On Face-Work. In Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behavior. New York: Pantheon.
Goldenson, R. M. (1984). Longman dictionary of psychology and psychiatry. New York, NY: Longman.
Gramlich, J. (2018). 5 facts about Americans and Facebook. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/04/10/5-facts-about-americans-and-facebook/
Jablin, F. M., & Miller, V. D. (1980). Interviewer and applicant questioning behavior in employment interviews. Management Communication Quarterly, 4, 51-86.
Kellerman, K. A., & Berger C. R. (1984). Affect and the acquisition of social information: Sit back, relax, and tell me about yourself. In R. N. Bostrom (Ed.), Communication Yearbook 8 (pp. 412-45). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Krasnova, H., Spiekermann, S., Koroleva, K., & Hildebrand, T. (2010). Online social networks: why we disclose. Journal of Information Technology, 25, 109-125.
MacDonald, A. P., Kessel, V. S., & Fuller, J. B. (1972). Self-disclosure and two kinds of trust. Psychological Reports, 30(1), 143-148.
Maynard, D. W., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1984). Topical talk, ritual and the social organization of relationships. Social Psychology Quarterly, 47, 301-316.
McKenna, K.Y. (2008). Myspace or your place: Relationship initiation and development in the wired and wireless world. In A. Wenzel, J. Harvey and S. Sprecher (Eds.), Handbook of Relationship Initiation (pp. 235-247). New York: Psychology Press.
Morton, T. L. (1978). Intimacy and reciprocity of exchange: A comparison of spouses and strangers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36(1), 72.
Mongeau, P. A., Jacobsen, J. L., & Donnerstein, C. (2007). Generalizing from undergraduates to single adults: Defining dates and first date goals. Communication Research, 34, 526-547.
Morris, W. (Ed.). (1976). The American heritage dictionary of the English language. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Paul, A., & Morrison, K. (2015, June). Does your Facebook profile help or harm you? Examining the sequence of information seeking strategies on uncertainty reduction in social networking sites. Poster presented at the International Association of Relationship Research, New Brunswick, NJ.
Pratt, L., Wiseman, R. L., Cody, M. J., & Wendt, P. F. (1999). Interrogative strategies and information exchange in computer‐mediated communication. Communication Quarterly, 47, 46-66.
Reis, H. T., & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process. Fn S. Duck (Ed.), Handbook of Personal Relationships (pp. 367- 389). Chichester, England: Wiley.
Laurenceau, J. P., Barrett, L. F., & Pietromonaco, P. R. (1998). Intimacy as an interpersonal process: The importance of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness in interpersonal exchanges. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1238-1251.
Li, S., Feng, B., Li, N., & Tan, X. (2015). How social context cues in support seeker profile influence support provider’s self-disclosure in online support forums. Communication Quarterly, 63, 586-602.
Reis, H. X, & Patrick, B. C. (1996). Attachment and intimacy: Component processes. In E. T. Higgins & A. W. Kruglanski (Eds.), Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles (pp. 523-563). New York: Guilford Press.
Rubin, R. B. (1979). The effect of context on information seeking across the span of initial interactions. Communication Quarterly, 27, 13-20.
Steel, J. L. (1991). Interpersonal correlates of trust and self-disclosure. Psychological Reports, 68, 1319-1320.
Stutzman, F., Gross, R., & Acquisti, A. (2012). Silent listeners: The evolution of privacy and disclosure on Facebook. Journal of Privacy and Confidentiality, 4, 7-41.
Svennevig, J. (2000). Getting Acquainted in Conversation. Philadelphia: John Benjamin Publishing Company.
Tamborini, R., & Westerman, D. (2008). Uncertainty reduction over time in initial stranger interactions: A social information processing theory approach. Paper presented at the conference of the International Communication Association, Montreal, Canada.
Taylor, D. A., & Altman, I. (1966). Intimacy-scaled stimuli for use in studies of interpersonal relations. Psychological Reports, 19, 729–730.
Tengler, C. D., & Jablin, F. M. (1983). Effects of question type, orientation, and sequencing in the employment screening interview. Communications Monographs, 50, 245-263.
Tidwell, L. C. (1997). Comparison of anticipated interaction, channel, and communication goal on impression formation, self-disclosure, and relational orientation: getting to know one another a bit at a time (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.
Tidwell, L. C., & Walther, J. B. (2002). Computer-mediated communication effects on disclosure, impressions, and interpersonal evaluations: Getting to know one another a bit at a time. Human Communication Research, 28, 317-348.
Tokunaga, R. S., & Gustafson, A. (2014). Seeking interpersonal information over the Internet: An application of the theory of motivated information management to Internet use. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31(8), 1019-1039.
Wheeless, L. R. (1978). A follow-up study of the relationships among trust, disclosure, and interpersonal solidarity. Human Communication Research, 4, 143-157.
Wheeless, L. R., & Grotz, J. (1976). Conceptualization and measurement of reported self-disclosure. Human Communication Research, 2, 338-346.
Altman, I., & Taylor, D. A. (1973). Social penetration: The development of interpersonal relationships. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Andersen, P., & Wang, H. (2005). Self-disclosure in long-distance friendships: A comparison between face-to-face and computer-mediated communication. Paper presented at the conference of the International Communication Association, New York, NY.
Antheunis, M. L., Peter, J., Schouten, A. P., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2009). Intervening processes between computer-mediated communication and interpersonal attraction: An experimental comparison. In Annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Chicago, Illinois.
Antheunis, M. L., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2010). Getting acquainted through social network sites: Testing a model of uncertainty reduction and social attraction. Computers in Human Behavior, 26, 100-109.
Bell, R. A., & Daly, J. A. (1984). The affinity‐seeking function of communication. Communications Monographs, 51, 91-115.
Berger, C. R., & Bradac, J. J. (1982). Language and social knowledge: Uncertainty in interpersonal relationships. London: Edward Arnold.
Berger, C. R., & Calabrese, R. J. (1975). Some explorations in initial interaction and beyond: Toward a developmental theory of interpersonal communication. Human Communication Research, 1, 99-112.
Berger, C. R., Gardner, R. R., Clatterbuck, G. W., & Schulman, L. S. (1976). Perceptions of information sequencing in relationship development. Human Communication Research, 3, 29-46.
Berger, C. R., & Kellermann, K. A. (1983). To ask or not to ask: Is that a question? Communication yearbook, 7, 342-368.
boyd, d. m., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13, 210–230.
Byrne, D. (1971). The attraction paradigm. New York: Academic Press.
Dindia, K. (1983). Reciprocity of self-disclosure: A sequential analysis. In M. Burgoon (Ed.), Communication yearbook 6 (pp. 506–528). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Dipboye, R. L., Fontenelle, G. A., & Garner, K. (1984). Effects of previewing the application on interview process and outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 118-128.
Dubow B. (2007) Confessions of ‘‘Facebook stalkers.’’ Retrieved from www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2007–03- 07-facebook-stalking_N.htm
Dollard, J., & Mowrer, O. (1947). A method of measuring tension in written documents. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 42, 323-332.
Douglas, W. (1990). Uncertainty, information seeking, and liking during initial interaction. Western Journal of Speech Communication, 54, 66–81.
Douglas, W. (1994). The acquaintanceship process: An examination of uncertainty, information seeking, and social attraction during initial conversation. Communication Research, 21, 154-176.
Ellison, N. B., Lampe, C., & Steinfield, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook “friends:” Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites.Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 12, 1143-1168.
Ezumah, B. A. (2013). College students’ use of social media: Site preferences, uses and gratifications theory revisited. International Journal of Social Science, 4(5), 27–34.
Goffman, I. (1967). On Face-Work. In Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behavior. New York: Pantheon.
Goldenson, R. M. (1984). Longman dictionary of psychology and psychiatry. New York, NY: Longman.
Gramlich, J. (2018). 5 facts about Americans and Facebook. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/04/10/5-facts-about-americans-and-facebook/
Jablin, F. M., & Miller, V. D. (1980). Interviewer and applicant questioning behavior in employment interviews. Management Communication Quarterly, 4, 51-86.
Kellerman, K. A., & Berger C. R. (1984). Affect and the acquisition of social information: Sit back, relax, and tell me about yourself. In R. N. Bostrom (Ed.), Communication Yearbook 8 (pp. 412-45). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Krasnova, H., Spiekermann, S., Koroleva, K., & Hildebrand, T. (2010). Online social networks: why we disclose. Journal of Information Technology, 25, 109-125.
MacDonald, A. P., Kessel, V. S., & Fuller, J. B. (1972). Self-disclosure and two kinds of trust. Psychological Reports, 30(1), 143-148.
Maynard, D. W., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1984). Topical talk, ritual and the social organization of relationships. Social Psychology Quarterly, 47, 301-316.
McKenna, K.Y. (2008). Myspace or your place: Relationship initiation and development in the wired and wireless world. In A. Wenzel, J. Harvey and S. Sprecher (Eds.), Handbook of Relationship Initiation (pp. 235-247). New York: Psychology Press.
Morton, T. L. (1978). Intimacy and reciprocity of exchange: A comparison of spouses and strangers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36(1), 72.
Mongeau, P. A., Jacobsen, J. L., & Donnerstein, C. (2007). Generalizing from undergraduates to single adults: Defining dates and first date goals. Communication Research, 34, 526-547.
Morris, W. (Ed.). (1976). The American heritage dictionary of the English language. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Paul, A., & Morrison, K. (2015, June). Does your Facebook profile help or harm you? Examining the sequence of information seeking strategies on uncertainty reduction in social networking sites. Poster presented at the International Association of Relationship Research, New Brunswick, NJ.
Pratt, L., Wiseman, R. L., Cody, M. J., & Wendt, P. F. (1999). Interrogative strategies and information exchange in computer‐mediated communication. Communication Quarterly, 47, 46-66.
Reis, H. T., & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process. Fn S. Duck (Ed.), Handbook of Personal Relationships (pp. 367- 389). Chichester, England: Wiley.
Laurenceau, J. P., Barrett, L. F., & Pietromonaco, P. R. (1998). Intimacy as an interpersonal process: The importance of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness in interpersonal exchanges. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1238-1251.
Li, S., Feng, B., Li, N., & Tan, X. (2015). How social context cues in support seeker profile influence support provider’s self-disclosure in online support forums. Communication Quarterly, 63, 586-602.
Reis, H. X, & Patrick, B. C. (1996). Attachment and intimacy: Component processes. In E. T. Higgins & A. W. Kruglanski (Eds.), Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles (pp. 523-563). New York: Guilford Press.
Rubin, R. B. (1979). The effect of context on information seeking across the span of initial interactions. Communication Quarterly, 27, 13-20.
Steel, J. L. (1991). Interpersonal correlates of trust and self-disclosure. Psychological Reports, 68, 1319-1320.
Stutzman, F., Gross, R., & Acquisti, A. (2012). Silent listeners: The evolution of privacy and disclosure on Facebook. Journal of Privacy and Confidentiality, 4, 7-41.
Svennevig, J. (2000). Getting Acquainted in Conversation. Philadelphia: John Benjamin Publishing Company.
Tamborini, R., & Westerman, D. (2008). Uncertainty reduction over time in initial stranger interactions: A social information processing theory approach. Paper presented at the conference of the International Communication Association, Montreal, Canada.
Taylor, D. A., & Altman, I. (1966). Intimacy-scaled stimuli for use in studies of interpersonal relations. Psychological Reports, 19, 729–730.
Tengler, C. D., & Jablin, F. M. (1983). Effects of question type, orientation, and sequencing in the employment screening interview. Communications Monographs, 50, 245-263.
Tidwell, L. C. (1997). Comparison of anticipated interaction, channel, and communication goal on impression formation, self-disclosure, and relational orientation: getting to know one another a bit at a time (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.
Tidwell, L. C., & Walther, J. B. (2002). Computer-mediated communication effects on disclosure, impressions, and interpersonal evaluations: Getting to know one another a bit at a time. Human Communication Research, 28, 317-348.
Tokunaga, R. S., & Gustafson, A. (2014). Seeking interpersonal information over the Internet: An application of the theory of motivated information management to Internet use. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31(8), 1019-1039.
Wheeless, L. R. (1978). A follow-up study of the relationships among trust, disclosure, and interpersonal solidarity. Human Communication Research, 4, 143-157.
Wheeless, L. R., & Grotz, J. (1976). Conceptualization and measurement of reported self-disclosure. Human Communication Research, 2, 338-346.
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