Part 3

         Looking at Social information processing theory and its relationship to Facebook first requires an understanding of the theory. Social information processing theory seeks to explain relationship building over computer mediated communication, additionally explains how people share information with each other without the luxury of nonverbal communication. Fulk writes that, “The basic promise of social information processing theory is that meaning is socially constructed. Although objective characteristics and constraints in the work environment do influence perceptions and behavior information provided by the social environment is of at least equal importance.” (Fulk, Steinfield, Schmitz & Power 531) Facebook lets users provide their own information about their social environment and that is one of the reasons why social information processing theory relates so well to Facebook. The idea behind the theory is simply put that people using computer mediated communication can create relationships that are the same to relationships that are formed using face to face communication, however the length of time required for computer mediated relationships is greater than that of face to face relationships. Walther describes the theory as this, “This theory asserts that communicators using any medium experience the similar needs for uncertainty reduction and affinity, and to meet these needs CMC users will adapt their linguistic and textual behaviors to the solicitation and presentation of socially revealing, relational behavior.” (Walther, Anderson & Park 465)  Walther uses this theory to show that no matter the medium people will always want to reduce uncertainty and build relationships, and Facebook as will be shown, strives to ease both of those processes. So as it stands social information processing theory is a very broad theory that describes the interpersonal relationship building process as it relates to computer mediated communication.

            Upon learning about Facebook and some of its media characteristics the next step would be to look into how Facebook relates to the social information processing theory. Facebook lessens the time required to make relationships as genuine as face to face relationships in a variety of ways. Users on Facebook can disclose information about themselves as much or as little as they would like this allows for a user to disclose a lot of personal information such as likes or dislikes, hobbies, and other interests they have and also for anyone who is communicating with them to have access to that information. This allows for people to both learn more about someone they already know, and in the case of a stranger looking at a person’s page for the first time it will allow for them to reduce uncertainty by looking at the interests and photos of that other person. So we can say that Facebook allows for users to lessen the time required to form relationships by making information easy to access and allowing users to disclose their information on their own time and to take enough time to craft a clear message.

            Facebook also implements the more traditional form of CMC of instant messaging and private messaging, however these functions go hand in hand with the profile portion of the website, thus allowing for users to see information such as relationship status’s and common friends, before or after sending a message. One of the downsides of an instant messaging application is this as Kielser writes, “Availability of instantaneous electronic communication, for example, might lead people to expect immediate responses.” (Kiesler, Siegel, McGuire 1125) and that can be the cause for some tension in the relationship, a similar phenomenon happens with the use of text messaging. However this application allows for a more timely messaging system and can create an environment that will allow for an easier and faster avenue of communication.

                 The absence of cues is something that hinders the development of computer mediated communication, however Facebook curtails this in a variety of ways. The most widely thought of are emoticons that portray a facial expression, today emoticons are programed into provide a small graphic in the instant messaging application of Facebook. These simple images allow for senders to convey a simple facial expression that paired with photos of themselves can allow for the receiver to form a reasonable image of the sender and to enhance some sort of cues. Additionally the use of language acronyms an example being “LOL” for laughing out loud can also portray cues in the conversation in some form; and while these cues are not as pronounced as face to face communications they do serve some purpose in creating a meaningful communication. However “Caution, however, must be exercised with paralinguistic cues in CMC, for they have localized meanings” (Olaniran, Rodriguez, & Williams 2012) What Olaniran means by this is the cues such as emoticons and acronyms do not have the same meaning to every person who uses CMC specifically Facebook. So while the use of those types of cues can be helpful, they can also be harmful and can distort the message.

        So looking at how Facebook relates to social information processing theory, the use of nontraditional cues such as emoticons, the use of profiles to reduce uncertainty, and the ability to transfer messages instantaneously all link Facebook with social information processing theory, and seek to make easier the building of relationships using computer mediated communication.

Olaniran, B. A., Rodriguez, N., & Williams, I. M. Social Information Processing Theory (SIPT): A Cultural Perspective for International Online Communication Environments. 45-65

Walther, J. B., & Anderson, J. F. (1994). Interpersonal Effects in Computer-Mediated Interaction. Communication Research, 21(4), 460-48.

Kiesler, S., Siegel, J., & McGuire, T. W. (1984). Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication. American psychologist, 39(10), 1123.

Fulk, J., Steinfield, C. W., Schmitz, J., & Power, J. G. (1987). A social information processing model of media use in organizations. Communication Research, 14(5), 529-552.