The impact of computer-mediated communication on self-awareness

Abstract

The present research investigated whether computer-mediated communication enhances users' private self-awareness, while lowering their public self-awareness. Self-report measures of acute private and public self-awareness were administered to 55 subjects following either face-to-face or computer-mediated discussions of two choice-dilemma problems. It was found that, relative to the face-to-face comparison group, subjects using computer-mediation reported significantly higher levels of acute private self-awareness, and marginally lower levels of public self-awareness. Although computer users did not evaluate the social context differently from subjects communicating face-to-face, their evaluations were associated with the degree of acute public self-awareness they were experiencing. Low public self-aware computer users were more likely to evaluate the social context negatively. The social evaluations of face-to-face subjects were not related to their levels of self-awareness. The implications of these findings for future research examining the social psychological impact of computers and their use in different contexts are discussed.