Reactions to unfair events in computer-mediated groups: A test of uncertainty management theory

Abstract

We use uncertainty management theory ( Lind & Van den Bos, 2002) as a framework to examine how the members of computer-mediated groups differ from those of face-to-face groups in their reactions to unfair events. Due to informational uncertainty surrounding interpersonal interactions in computer-mediated groups, fairness from authorities is more salient to the members of computer-mediated groups. Consequently, the members of computer-mediated groups tend to, in general, react more negatively to unfair events than do those of face-to-face groups. Moreover, the difference between the members of computer-mediated groups and face-to-face groups, in reactions to unfair events, increases over time. We present a laboratory study where we found support for these arguments.