COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION - IMPERSONAL, INTERPERSONAL, AND HYPERPERSONAL INTERACTION

While computer-mediated communication use and research are proliferati ng rapidly, findings offer contrasting images regarding the interperso nal character of this technology. Research trends over the history of these media are reviewed with observations across trends suggested so as to provide integrative principles with which to apply media to diff erent circumstances. First, the notion that the media reduce personal influences-their impersonal effects-is reviewed. Newer theories and re search are noted explaining normative ''interpersonal'' uses of the me dia. From this vantage point, recognizing that impersonal communicatio n is sometimes advantageous, strategies for the intentional depersonal ization of media use are inferred, with implications for Group Decisio n Support Systems effects. Additionally, recognizing that media someti mes facilitate communication that surpasses normal interpersonal level s, a new perspective on ''hyperpersonal'' communication is introduced. Subprocesses are discussed pertaining to receivers, senders, channels , and feedback elements in computer-mediated communication that may en hance impressions and interpersonal relations.