Hyper-personal model - Essay Example

Hyper–Personal Model: Presentation s Introduction The hyper-personal model of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) uses simultaneous theoretically anchored processes to clarify how CMC is likely to assist impressions and relationships in the online that are exaggerated above the likes and intimacy that may occur during off-line interactions. Essentially, this model insinuates that overrated impressions are likely to be created in the online world comparative to face-to-face engagements because of the following four elements in the communication process that have an effect on the cognitive and communication aspects of the intended message’s construction and reception.

The components:Receivers- CMC messages are likely to be exaggerated because of the lack of face-to-face indicators, giving receivers to fill in the missing blanks. Receivers in this case, will most likely idealize from the initial clues by the sender and if they are favorable, then the receiver dynamics will be tuned to favorably respond. The Hyper-personal model suggests that such initial impression are likely to be activated by pre-existing stereotypes inherent in the communicators like the partners’ resemblance, however vague, of someone previously encountered.

Senders- In text based CMC selective representation of self is aided and one usually pass on indicators that they would want the receiver to have. So even in the absence of physical traits, individuals involved in CMC will construct messages that portray them in good light with emphasis on desirable traits and because of lack of physical interaction like eye contact, their conveyed traits will invite preferential reactions. The selective choice on what message to transmit coupled with the comfort create by the virtual world, makes it easy to develop intimacy by the disclosure of personal issues that fuels connection in CMC.

The speed of explicit disclosure in CMC is much faster than that of face-to face interactions. Other than these disclosures, senders in CMC represent themselves in line with contents presented by their communication partners. This influences their choice of words and expression of likeness, in essence pre-determining their topical areas of concurrence and disagreements. Channel - Under this dimension of hyper-personal model, the CMC medium shapes the deliberate construction of online messages by the mechanics of the CMC interface and the ability to edit these messages before they are sent.

Users of CMC focus more on the construction aspect of their messages that they would on face-to-face conversations. Prior knowledge of the recipient and their credentials determines how much edits the sender undertakes and the level of concentration in message construction. A communicator sending a message to his peer has a completely different construct to when he is sending similar message to his boss or his junior. Research has shown that mindfulness during message production varies with the attractiveness of the message’s target.

An idea of the targets physical attributes significantly determines the composition, choice of words and tone in the message. Feedback- The hyper-personal model of CMC suggest that feedback is facilitated by selective self presentation and channel effects that are all reciprocated in the kind of feedback received. A receiver will, therefore, send feedback in a manner that mirrors the self presented message that is usually a modified version of the recipient’s character. Behavioral disconfirmation is one such feedback and occurs when an individual expects their interaction through CMC to be unpleasant and in that regard over-accommodates just to improve the person’s conduct.

ConclusionIn the end, this model, even though supported, improved and challenged by research in equal measure, has been used in new social technologies like the dynamics of online dating sutes where profiles are created by self-presenting profiles. Individuals use this model to take not of the little available cues from their prospective dates to draw narrow down on the possibility of an interaction. With the misrepresentations on age, weight and even actual physical appearances, the model stands to be tested in physical interactions where true characters in dates come out and arrogance or humility is exhibited.

ReferenceWalther, J. B. (n.d.). Computer-mediated Communication: Impersonal, Interpersonal, and Hyperpersonal Interaction.