How does Mobile Phone Effect Human Behavior as a Communication Tool - Term Paper Example

Mobile Phone and Human Behavior How does Mobile Phone Effect Human Behavior as a Communication Tool Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 2 Introduction Communication is the life line of this world that connects countries closely. Without communication man would not have reached the refinement in his behavior, attitude and culture. It is the mode of communication that teaches man in every aspect of his life, it helps him understand the difference between his world and the others; it also helps him know what happens in the other side, guides him to come out of the nut shell and brings him to the vast world. There is lot of modes in communication, face to face communication, written communication, speech communication, gesture communication etc. The topic chosen for discussion is Mobile communication. Communication effectively started from the time when telephone was invented, and more effectively when the telephone communication spread as an easy and affordable, means of communication. In recent years communication has gone quiet far resulting in connecting people as closely as possible, easy to contact each other even though the people remain between long distances. Mobiles phones are bringing changes day by day. The fact that the use of mobile phones affects the human behavior has become a sort of argumentative topics, related also to the health hazards, mental problems, scientific problems etc. Very particularly the attitude of the human beings is showing changes with the use of mobile phones. Specifically speaking, the attitude towards society and their behavior in public places seem to reflect a two way problem, one would be disturbance to others, while attending a call amidst a crowd and another would be risks of unacceptable activities. Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 3 When we look at the mobile phone usage as a means of communication tool, it has innumerable advantages, leading communication to an uncomplicated circumstance. Communication wise, mobile phones could be considered next to internet services it its fast approach; it could be considered easier and comfortable than internet because it connects people at any destination. The use of mobile phones has become a common sight almost in all parts of the developed countries; from a rich man to a lower working class citizen holds a mobile. The fact that if privatization of exchange services announcing very cheaper charges stands on one side the manufacturing and pricing of mobile phones becoming considerably cheap on the other side . These two factors probably constitutes for the use of mobile phones by many people in the world. A very common sight would be that of many turning towards the other side of the road, while standing on the platforms, and some standing alone and talking loudly, they are just talking in their mobiles. But these behavior are out comes of using mobile phones. In the social environment mobile phones have become definitely as an effective communication tool, helping people to contact each other as easily as possible. It is without doubt has been accepted as an effect mode of communication, despite several controversies over the health problems that arises out of using mobile phones. As far as human behavior is concerned, it has restricted human behavior to a limited one. In the sense people tend to give preference contacting through mobiles than spending time to meet the people directly. Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 4 The public relation also perform a similar duty, communicating between companies and the public to make the business effective, and guide the public to have a high reach regarding the details of any product or any information of an awareness program. In the same way mobile communication connects or helps people to have an effective communication quickly. Technology plays a very important role in implementing the effective ways of communication. Though literatures talk of the health problems such as risk of cancer, damage in brain cells etc, that might result using these mobile phones, people tend to prefer mobile phones as more effective than other means of communication. There seems to be a behavioral change in the people while they communicate through mobile phones. This change differs according to genders, male and female behavior. It is important to find out and analyze the difference of opinion that a male and a female have concerning the mobile usage. This paper focuses on the effect of mobile phones on human behavior and how it has been accepted in the social environment as a communication tool by men and women. Terms of Reference: The references have been limited from the printed sources. As this topic needs a lot to be discussed from a social point of view, the response from public needed to be considered as the main source, and what they feel regarding the use of mobile phones? have to be included as the major source for this research. Quaternaries needed to be prepared to get the opinion of the people. It is very important to consider the crowds as we could find out ample number of people with their Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 5 mobile phones amidst the crowd. Interviews should be conducted to get the opinion of those who do not have a mobile and who are against mobile phones, in order to review different peoples’ opinion. Literature Search: Literatures concentrate more on the health effects of mobile phones, but very few articles have given an exposure to the human behavior due to the use of mobile phones. Sociologically speaking mobile phones has received a great response from majority of the people around the world, though this might be missing in places where basic communication is still under doubt. In the sense places occupied by tribal and village people, where technology has advanced, and where education is very less. “Peter S.Alexander[2000] explores how teenagers define and redefine the identity of the mobile as a dynamic social technology. He feels that if we limit our view to the mobile phone’s present utility we may be ignoring some of the most powerful aspects of it” [Alexander, P.S. (2000) ‘Teens and Mobile Phones Growing-up Together:  Understanding the Reciprocal Influences on the Development of Identity’ Submission for the Wireless World Workshop, University of Surrey ] One more aspect would be that “Having a mobile in theory means that there is the option of constant availability” says Michael Hulme in his behavioral research and social change due to the impact of new media technologies in the society. Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 6 The mobile has many functions, not only as a communicator but also as a signifier for identity and an added device for consumption of communication…..Connectivity will not only influence their patterns of mobility but will also influence their identities and how they see themselves, this is what Peter S. Alexander[2002] has to say. Some articles like the above mentioned look up the use of mobile phones as a sort of identity, particularly among the teenagers and the middle or working class people. As contact becomes very easy and immediately possible, people tend to opt for mobile phone as being more effective and affordable. At this aspect the feeling toward possessing a mobile phone differs according to the gender and this would very well define the human behavioral change in the social atmosphere. One of the websites called Textually.org [2006] viewed a lot on the basis of how mobile phone affects the gender in a different way. It says “Women are now using the mobile phones as barrier signal, or personal body guard, to deter overly keen men from trying a chat up line” In fact some of the literature has reviewed the mobile phones as a converting the direction of interaction between human beings. The option for messaging has become one of the common preference among mobile users particularly teenagers and even employees. As far as the teenagers are concerned messaging give them an easy mode of communication, and they consider messaging save time than talking. But the actual fact that has to be considered is that messaging has reduced the chance for communicating and speech. Teenage girls particularly, have developed a tendency towards possessing a mobile phone as a fashion in their circle. Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 7 While coming to the employees, mobile communication seems to have been very effective as they could have a continual communication with their official at any time. It has to be accepted that mobile communication has paved way for more chances of betterment of the employees. One of the articles in Textually .org [2006] argues on the employee behavior that they feel “messaging to be an effective means of communicating with their bosses. And according to them messaging bring them very near to their officials. In this way the chances for public relations to become successful grows. The manufacturing of low cost models with technological innovations increasing day by day mobile phones sales are showing greater results in almost all parts of the developed and developing countries like China, Japan, America, Europe on one side and Asia, India , etc on the other side respectively. Nokia has become one of the leading manufacturers of mobile phones world wide. The introduction of slim models and other additional devices such as a camera, radio facility, voice recording facility, video conferencing etc have given increased scope for mobile users, to make their communication more powerful and influence. Articles and advertisements that come in favor of the high tech mobile phones help a lot in influencing the sales percentage of the mobile phones. Above all in recent time’s mobile phones have a strong influence in changing the behavior of the people, in the sense people consider having a mobile as a symbol of fashion and gives more place for social connection and popularity. This condition is prevalent among the teenagers. As Roland Barthers [1957] finds out an aspect towards identity and Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 8 consumption, in which he says that “there is always a duel aspect to consumption, that it fulfills a need but that it also conveys and is embedded within social and cultural symbols and structures” [Barthes, R (1975) Mythologies, Paladin: Hertfordshire ] While this goes on one direction the BBC Manchester has released its research result which was conducted on the teenagers, it says that “teenager’s current obsession with mobile phones could helping to turn away from smoking. Smoking has declined among British teenagers from 30% in 1996 to 23% in 1999”. Researches have been conducted in various aspects of mobile phone usage, but the results come in favor of the effective communication that is received with the help of mobile phones while people are in movement, to be precise while they travel. The literatures that focus on the health hazards also come into the society, such as that of the electromagnetic fields from the antennas of the mobile phones could have a substantiate effect resulting in non specific symptoms such a headache, dizziness and insomnia etc argues the Health Council of Netherlands [2002]. But they are still under research whether the symptoms are directly influenced by the electromagnetic field that exists between the mobile phones and the antennas or through the influence of the same with the brain activity etc. These factors lead to change in human behavior, for example we could find out people with an anxious expression, or exited faces with their mobile phone probably waiting for a call. This is also a common sight which could be seen while traveling. There Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 9 are differences in gender behavior also. Particularly girls are found to be more exited while they expect a call than the other gender community. There are other aspects of behavioral changes resulting due to the use of mobile phones such as avoiding calls by looking at the number display, if a person does not want to communicate with somebody he has more chances of avoiding the unwanted person by not responding to his call or simply cut his call at the time of getting a call. In recent times the camera mobiles have become a symbol of fashion among the people, they have the facility to take a snap at any time and store them. But the same is wrongly used, and this behavior is found in teenagers and some naughty minds, who try to take photos of those things or persons without their permission and without their knowledge and finally threatening them. Coming back to the health hazard John .D. Boice and Joseph .K.Maclaughlin[2002]argues that “cellular telephones emits radio frequency signals between 450to 2200 MHz which fall in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum …the rapid and wide spread use of this technology however , has raised concern over possible adverse health problems, in particular brain cancer”. Many literatures have come about in favor of this above mentioned argument that there are health problems slowly showing its face in the mobile users. “The extensive use of mobile phones suggests that users do not in general judge them to present a significant health hazard. Rather they have welcomed the technology and brought Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 10 it into use in their everyday lives. Nevertheless, since their introduction, there have been persisting concerns about the possible impact of mobile phone technologies on health.” Says the Health Protection Agency [2004] in a report given on the health problems of mobile phone usage. While on the other side the popularity has been widely increasing leading to the condition that there will not be country where mobile phones could not be seen. This is mainly due to the influence of innovations reached by the technology in the mobile phone production. The primary research that has to be carried out is that of how many people are found to be affected by mobile phone usage, and how many feel this communication as an effective tool in the social environment and finally how many feel that mobile phones are still disturbing while it is used in a crowd. This might be due to one more reason like what one of the Reith Lectures [2005] say on Technology will determine the future of the Human Race, “Man’s way of life has depended on technology since the beginning of civilization”. While looking from this point of view it releases an opinion that mobile phone, which is a wonderful technological invention, would definitely be considered as an important aspect of human life. The effect of mobile phones in the sociological sphere has been very well brought out by Leysia Palen [2006], “It is no longer unusual to see people using mobile phones in a variety of contexts. Indeed, use is so frequent and common in some places that people are regularly and formally to turn off mobile phones in movie theaters, at public performance, and in restaurants to avoid negative social repercussions” Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 11 Literature do not have an influencing results regarding the use of mobile phones in this aspect but a research or precisely a quantitative analysis has to be done from different classes of people to find out the exact role played by the mobile phones in the social environment as a communicative tool. The financial aspect and the means of quick connectivity, technological preferences are also to be considered while analyzing the results of the research. This research has to be conducted in cities as people of the cities use this technology than those in undeveloped areas. The implementation of signal towers also play an important role in the wide spread of this tool of communication. Keeping this in mind the privatization of the certain links or telephone exchanges are also to be analyzed, as this has resulted in increased use of mobile phones among people. The increasing sight of signal towers is one among the favorable reasons for the increase in mobile communication. Leysia Palen [2006] has also to say on mobile communication and its effects on the society that “As with LAN line telephones, mobile telephony –practice is not exclusively a practice unto itself. Telephones are part of a suit of every day tools that people have available to execute other activities.” Many critics have developed a sort of reviewing the mobile usage as a stylistic one in the social behavior. On the whole though literatures speak and argue on the health hazards of using mobile phone on one side, technological innovations tend to make the media to focus on the development of mobile usage on the other side. But it should be believed that the Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 12 production and manufacturing of mobile phones by many leading electronic companies such as Nokia, Motorola, or Siemens show that mobile users are increasing c-day by day and awareness of health problems might have only a meager result. Methodology: This is going to be a quantitative analysis. The methods of research that are going to be applied are Questionnaires, Interviews, and Analysis of the collected data. A group of at least twenty people have to be interviewed; these people include teenagers, employees, housewives and children of the age between 10 to 14. And finally, case studies involving study of people who get benefit from mobile phone communication and people who do not consider mobile phone as a useful means of communication. The methodology is focused on following a people based study, including people of different age groups and different profession. The search should be mainly focused on how people deliver their opinion as their behavior not only determines their acceptance but also their involvement with the subject. This methodology should cover most of the responses from people so as to have a determined conclusion, whether the mobile phones affect the human behavior or develop the communication to a strong one. The case study includes the following work: 1. Collection of data from the statistics showing details of the mobile users in major cities 2. Collection of statistical data containing details of teenagers, who possess mobiles. This could be done by conducting a survey in some colleges. Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 13 3. Collection of information regarding the manufacturing details, showing the sales difference of mobile phones for the past five years. As the use of mobile phones have increased only in recent years. 4. Analysis of the data collected 5. Analysis of the point that mobile phones’ role in the social environment 6. Conclusion: whether mobile phones have been considered as an effective communication tool or affecting the human behavior or affecting the health of the users. Questionnaires: There are two different set of questions that have to be posed to different groups of people. They are people who are employed or those who are working : 1. Why do they prefer a mobile phone? 2. What is the difference that they find out while using a mobile phone and while using a LAN line phone connection? 3. In what way the mobile phones are found out to be an effective communication tool? 4. Any disadvantages they have regarding the usage? 5. How much they spend for their talk value or in other words is it possible for them to afford for their connection in mobile, if so what makes the difference between spending for a LAN connection and a mobile connection? 6. Do they get permission for using their mobile during working hours? Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 14 7. How will they react if they get a call from their higher officials? 8. What do they feel about the technological developments implemented in the mobile phones? 9. Which model they prefer, for example mobile with camera and other facilities? 10. In what way they feel that their behavior has been affected due their mobile phone usage? The following questions are to be asked to the teenagers: 1. What kind of an advantage they get while using a mobile phone? 2. How do they feel using a mobile phone? 3. How much they spend for their talk value? 4. Does the mobile phone affect their studies? 5. Do they consider mobile phone as a symbol displaying fashion? If yes in what way? 6. Do they feel that their behavior in the social environment is getting affected by using a mobile phone? 7. Do they receive opposition from the public or elders while using a mobile phone? The following questions are to be asked to those people who do not have a mobile phone: 1. Why don’t they have a mobile? 2. Are they getting irritated towards mobile users? If yes the reason behind that. Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 15 3. How do they find the mobile users differ in their manner and behavior in the public places? 4. Do they feel that mobile phones are essential or not? 5. What makes them object the mobile phone usage? Interviews: The methodology included interviews also, which includes the opinions of the mobile manufacturers, Physicians, Sociologists etc: Questions that are to be asked to manufacturers: 1. What kind of response they get from the market of mobile phones? 2. Do they get considerable profit and increase in profit? 3. How do their customers feel regarding a release of a new mobile phone? 4. Which model they would prefer? 5. Do the customers give preference for rate or technological upgrading? 6. Have they ever faced any negative feed back from others? 7. In what areas they would concentrate while manufacturing a mobile phone? Questions prepared to be asked to a Sociologist: 1. In what way they feel that the mobile phone the human beings and their behavior in the social environment? 2. Apart from health hazards what are the disadvantages of using a mobile phone in a crowd? 3. Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 16 4. How public will get affected by the mobile phone services when users are found talking while moving? 5. To make a comparison between previous communication methods and mobile communication 5 And how do they find out mobile communication as an effective one? While doctors should be asked regarding the health affects that will come due to the mobile phone usage? And what are the alternatives to avoid these health effects of mobile phones? Plan for the Research: 1. Discussion of the steps involved in the research: a. Collection of the data regarding the mobile phone usage as an effective communication tool b. Collection of literatures showing the evidences of mobile phone as an effective communication tool c. Analysis of the topic chosen with comparison of the literatures 2. Arrangement for conducting quaternaries: a. Queationnaries for employees b. Questionnaires for teenagers c. Questionnaires for Sociologists and doctors d. Questionnaires for mobile manufacturers 3. Analysis of the information collected from the questionnaires a. Comparison of the information given by the employers with that of teenagers Mobile Phone and Human Behavior 17 b. Comparison of the information given by the manufacturers and the customers c. Analysis of the information given by the sociologists and doctors 4. Comparison of the statistical data collected from several researches done previously and the research that has to be conducted then. 5. Conclusion of the research with supportive points from the research data’s. As the research is concerned with the people, the research should be extended more than analysis of literatures and reviews collection. It has been already mentioned that man’s life depends on technological improvement, and the more innovations arises the more people depend over that. Mobil phones, should be included as one of the supreme technological inventions which has and will have a strong impact over the society in future. Since the world exists on communication as one of the main leading factor, mobile phones will never be considered as less important or having health effects etc. As long as communication exists people will go for easy means of communication only. On the whole mobile phones are without doubt an effective communication tool which ahs and will have a strong impact over the society and its dominance over the human race will never fade away. References: Alexander, P.S. (2000) ‘Teens and Mobile Phones Growing-up Together:  Understanding the Reciprocal Influences on the Development of Identity’ Submission for the Wireless World Workshop, University of Surrey  Gezondheidsraad. Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment. The Hague Health council Of Netherlends. “Mobile Telephones An Evaluation of Health Effects .2002 Health Protection Agency : Documents of the NRPB:Volume 15, No.5 Mobile Phones and Health 2004: Report by the Board of NRPB Online Available from http://www.hpa.org.uk/Mobile Phones and Health 2004.htm Women use Mobiles to deter chat –ups.July 23, 2006. online available from http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/cat-sms-studies-research.htm Leysia Palen, Marylin Salzman, Ed Youngs. Going Wireless: Behavior and Practice of New Mobile Users .online available from http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~palen/Papers/cscwPalen.pdf Reith Lectures [2005] “The Triumph of Technology” Technology will determine the future of Human Race .online available from http://www.bbc.co.uk Read More