COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL INFORMATION - STATUS SALIENCE AND STATUS DIFFERENCES

Many studies have found that groups that interact by computer-mediated communication (CMC) technologies are less prone to domination by high -status members than are face-to face groups. We report here the resul ts of three experiments designed to investigate participation and infl uence equality in mixed-status groups. Status differences persisted in both face-to-face and electronic groups. We suggest that status label s and impressions based on them have a larger impact on participation and influence than do communication media.