Abstract
This paper investigated the effects of relationship types (intracultural versus intercultural conditions) on relational development in computer-mediated communications (CMC) and face-to-face settings by controlling for the effect of prejudice and ethnocentrism. A total of 140 participants were involved in the experiment, and they were randomly assigned to the face-to-face, synchronous and asynchronous computer-mediated channels. Within each group, they were assigned to intracultural versus intercultural conditions and were required to interact in pairs with their zero-history partners. All participants underwent four experimental sessions.. The results exhibited a significant main effect of relationship types on relational progression in face-to-face and asynchronous CMC groups. No significant main effect of relationship types was observed in the synchronous CMC group. The results showed no significant effects of prejudice and ethnocentrism on relational development in all groups. The findings of the study provide partial support for the “equalization” view of CMC.
Highlights
The proliferation of the Internet has tremendously changed the communication landscape by allowing individuals from different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities in various parts of the world to communicate with each other quickly and directly
This paper investigated the effects of relationship types on relational development in computer-mediated communications (CMC) and face-to-face settings by controlling for the effect of prejudice and ethnocentrism
The results showed no significant effects of prejudice and ethnocentrism on relational development in all groups
Summary
The proliferation of the Internet has tremendously changed the communication landscape by allowing individuals from different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities in various parts of the world to communicate with each other quickly and directly. Online communication technology has brought a new dimension to the study of intercultural communication. It provides a new testing ground for intercultural communication theories, which previously were limited to face-to-face interactions. ISSN 1911-2017 E-ISSN 1911-2025 www.ccsenet.org/ass online technology offers an exciting research platform to test new CMC theories on existing issues, such as intercultural relations. The best way to begin is to compare the existing literature on intercultural communication in face-to-face communication and CMC, described
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