Mediated Communication - Term Paper Example

Mediated Communication: An Analysis A very significant dimension in behavior dynamics is communication as it impacts on the self from outside sources and as it impacts on others from the individual. It is a basic component of one’s relationship with others. It is the center of all human existence. It links us to others physically, emotionally and intellectually. As technology evolved, the patterns and modes of communication have expanded to unprecedented levels that interpersonal relationships have been significantly affected. The objective of this essay is to illustrate how mediated communication impacts one’s life for the better, for the worse, or perhaps both ways. The discourse would initially define relevant terms to be used within the paper like communication, mediated and unmediated communication, prior to delving into determining the force of media on interaction and social life. The experiences of one’s daily life as poignant examples of the far reaching influence of mediated communication would be used through the essay, as required. Definition of Terms Martires defines communication as a process which aims to transfer and implement the meaning of symbols from one person, group or organization to another (79). The ultimate goal of communication is the sharing of meaning. Andersen considers it as “a dynamic process in which man consciously or unconsciously affects the cognition of another through materials or agencies used in symbolic ways” (5). Likewise, Delaune and Ladner defined the term as the “process of transmitting thoughts, feelings, facts, and other information” (483) through verbal or non-verbal means. All definitions attest that communication is a process where symbols and meanings are relayed from the sender to recipients with the use of a defined medium. Mediated communication is clearly defined as “communication that involves a process by which a message, or communication, is transmitted via some form or medium” (Pavlik and McIntosh, 70). The authors expounded by detailing that “anything that you directly encounter during your waking hours such as talking to your friends, listening to a lecture, smelling food from the cafeteria, feeling rain on your skin is unmediated communication, although the information value of these experiences varies.  Mediated communication also creates a greater chance for misinterpretation by the receiver.  Mediated communication is all around us. Web logs, or blogs, offer a unique channel for developing and maintaining relationships between organizations and publics” (ibid.). Likewise, Fernando differentiated mediated from unmediated communication by stressing that “mediated communication transpires when the parties to the communication are not present in space in relation to each other in a manner that enables them to apprehend each other through the use of their senses. Examples of mediated communication include letters, telephone calls and emails” (Fernando, pars. 19 – 20). Thereby, unmediated communication was defined as “unmediated communication transpires when the parties to the communication are present in space in relation to each other in a manner that enables them to apprehend each other through the use of all of their senses. Examples of unmediated communication include face-to-face conversations, meetings in a room” (Fernando, 16 – 17), among others. Mediated Communication in Personal Life In contemporary times, the impact of technology, specifically through the use of the Internet and mobile phones has significantly changed levels and extent of communication to various parties. The Internet is personally regarded as a medium for social activity and as a means for self-expression. The young generation, particularly utilize the Internet to interact with others for various reasons: to get information, to communicate with friends, to search for old acquaintances, to form new alliances, to establish social relations, to build bridges instead of walls. Further, the Internet can be used to express oneself, either through verbal or written communication (email) or through other means (music, appreciation of the art, widening one’s horizon through surfing and connecting with friends). One’s personal experience attests the advantage of the Internet in terms of its ability to access vast amounts of information from diverse sources that could be used to comply with academic requirements. Research work was made easier than traditional research during the previous generation where students need to go to a library to search for books and publications during official library hours only. Today’s generation could access various authoritative sources as the tip of one’s fingers, at any time from any location. The disadvantage of this is that fewer people resort to buying reading materials that paved the way for decreased purchases of books, newspapers and other print media (Crain, 1; Alterman, 1) and increased use in the Kindle technology (Baker, 1). The fact was indicated by Baker as he quoted Amazon’s founder and CEO, Weisberg, who averred “printed books, the most important artifacts of human civilization, are going to join newspapers and magazines on the road to obsolescence” (Baker, 1). Also, Crain revealed that “we are reading less as we age, and we are reading less than people who were our age ten or twenty years ago” (1). Likewise, despite the advantages accorded by the internet, there are profound disadvantages in terms of expanding the drastic applications of bullying in school as bullies turn to cyberbullying (Hoffman, 1). Hoffman revealed the dangers of using the internet for bullying due to the difficulties in pinning the culprits as “contacting Web site administrators or Internet service providers can be a daunting, protracted process” (1). The internet provided ways and means for victims of bullying to be more disadvantaged through expanding the ways by means verbal abuse could be instigated and read by more people. One is personally perturbed by the dangers of cyberbullying that could not be immediately be addressed by school administrators, parents and other social agencies to help the victims, as needed. Gossiping, on the other hand, is greatly expanded through social networking cites such as Facebook and Twitter. A hapless information that seems to be irresponsibly circulated through a small circle of friends can immediately be expanded to a large audience with utter disregard for the veracity and credibility of the information being divulged. This incidents happens more for celebrities and famous people who could be seen in public places doing normal daily activities or caught in compromising situations. The extent by which the Internet, through social networking cites, could magnify events and personalities is just remarkable, depending if the person one is talking about is better off or worse off from the communication being circulated through this electronic medium. A profound personal experience of mediated communication is manifested through the application of the mobile phone, where “texting is international” (Menand, 1). Almost all students in school own a mobile phone and know how to navigate through its various applications and features. The extent by which children, at more younger ages, have been increasingly immersed through the mobile technology and learn texting as part of everyday experience have led various academicians and researchers to determine if texting would indeed greatly diminish the children’s literacy and academic performance. Though there have been disparities in findings, one is led to believe that mobile phones have the ultimate advantage of providing the quickest access to information and messages relayed from the sender to the recipient due to the access and availability of the unit and its capacity to immediately send a reply. As emphasized by Menand, “texting, because the respondent is almost always armed with his or her device and ready to reply, is quicker than e-mail” (1). Analysis Overall, one can deduce that there are both advantages and disadvantages that have been accorded by developments in technology as they influence mediated communication. If good deeds and endeavors are aimed to be expanded through these technologies (Internet or mobile phone) through reaching out to those in need (especially in terms of natural disasters and calamities), then, these media are most helpful in generating universal assistance at the most immediate span of time. However, on the contrary, these media also expand the disadvantages of circulating gossips, rumors, unverified and irresponsible information through social networking sites and through cyberbullying, or even in expanding terrorist activities, as navigated from web sites. Therefore, the kind of information and communication being circulated through these media depends largely on the personality, purpose, and resources of the sender. On the other hand, recipients of vast amounts of information should likewise have the appropriate mental frame to assess, evaluate and gauge the veracity and credibility of the information by double checking the sources and by closely reviewing if the information could inflict damage to others. In this case, these recipients should be responsible to take action and pre-empt further damage and abuse by restraining and controlling further spread of unreliable information, as needed. Conclusion The objective of the essay to illustrate how mediated communication impacts one’s life has been proffered through personal experiences that specifically focused on the use and applications of the Internet and the mobile phone. There have been both advantages and disadvantages of their uses which can enlighten the readers on assessing those that can benefit one’s life and therefore could be enhanced and further applied in current and future endeavors. When these media have been used for destroying the reputation of others, for cyberbullying, for gossiping through social networking sites, users must have the appropriate mental frame and responsibility to control and contain further spread of irresponsible information. Mediated communication, as the term indicates, the absence of parties in the process should already form a basis for the application of ethical and moral standards to guide the principles of communication and the circulation of responsible information. Communication is a very important element in one’s relationship with others. One must therefore assume a responsible and proactive stance in ensuring that information is verified and supported by credible sources before being relayed to others through these most accessible and advanced media. Works Cited Alterman, E. “Out of print.” The New Yorker, March 31, 2008. Web. 03 June 2011. Anderson, Kenneth E. Introduction to Communication: Theory and Practice. Cummings, Menlo Park, California. 1972. Print. Baker, Nicholson. “A New Page. Can the Kindle really improve on the book?”The New Yorker, August 3, 2009. Web. 03 June 2011. Crain, Caleb. “Twilight of the books.” The New Yorker, December 24, 2007. Web. 03 June 2011. Delaune, S. & Ladner, P. (2006). Fundamentals of Nursing: Standards & Practices. Delmar Learning, Inc., Singapore. Fernando, Suresh. The Structure of Communication. 17 May 2009. Web. 04 June 2011. < http://sureshfernando.wordpress.com/2009/05/17/the-structure-of-communication/> Hoffman, Jan. “As Bullies Go Digital, Parents Play Catch-Up .” The New York Times. 4 December 2010. Web. 04 June 2011. Read More