Interaction

Interaction is one of the first actions we learn as a child. We learn how to interact with inanimate objects, other children, and our family members. The way we interact slowly progresses from connecting via touch like hugs from a parent into communicating our feelings and thoughts with speech. Interaction is defined as communication or direct involvement with someone or something. Without interaction, there would be no messages to deliver, no information to share, and no way to communicate with one another. As time has gone on interaction has expanded from just face to face communication. Throughout history, we have been able to interact with others via telegram, letters and phone conversations. In the past two decades, a new mode of communicating has been introduced, changing the way we interact forever. Computer-mediated communication allows us to interact with people across the globe in a matter of seconds. Whether mediated or person-to-person, interaction results in the spread information and shapes relationships. Rhetoric focuses on how text, images or symbols come to have meaning to a specific person or audience. The way a person interprets these various Rhetorical pieces allows them to communicate their thoughts and feelings through information processing. Information processing is done through interaction and through Rhetoric and Communication studies we learn how to efficiently process information in order to interact and communicate with others.

Rhetoric and Communication studies teaches us theories on the basics of why and how we interact. Human interaction is powerful and while there is no definitive history to interaction, there are different modes in which we can communicate that have changed over time to which communication scholars should be attuned. The most basic and common way to interact is through linguistics, specifically, face to face interactions. W The power of face to face interaction is shaped by  the verbal and nonverbal cues we give off in a conversation. Nonverbal cues can be just as powerful as verbal cues when it comes to interaction (Devlin, 2008). However, there are alternate modes or mediums in which we communicate that do not allow for a person to use nonverbal cues. The most prevalent in today’s age is computer-mediated communication. There are different theories that focus on computer-mediated communication and the way we use things like email, text messages and social media platforms to communicate.

In 1992, at the rise of the digital age, Joe Walther created the Social Information Processing Theory to state that computer users would be capable of using the internet to interact and form interpersonal relationships over-time, just as we do with face-to-face communication. When Walther began developing the theory he limited the use to just text-online communication. Walther believes that relationships grow based upon the primary information we receive from another person via Computer Mediated Communication. SIPT focuses on what a person can gather from another person through Computer Mediated Communication and how they may use this information to form their impression of another person and, therefore, interact with them (Griffin, 2012). Walther’s original claim regarding text-only communication and SIPT was later expanded upon after the creation of social-network websites, but Walther fully believes that the loss of verbal and nonverbal cues does not alter the formation of a relationship and the way we react because of two features of computer-mediated communication. Walther believes that the language used within a mediated conversation can give enough information for a person to process over the extended amount of time CMC allows. Without immediate face-to-face interactions, a person can take a longer amount of time to interpret the linguistic content of a message to create an impression and relationship.

Social Information Processing Theory and interacting via CMC goes hand-in-hand with interpersonal theories like Social Penetration Theory and Uncertainty Reduction Theory. Social Penetration Theory focuses on how relationships build over-time with different stages of communication. SPT focuses on four different stages of a relationship forming where each stage focuses on a more intimate form of interaction and gathering information. Social Penetration Theory is directly applicable to any preliminary interaction and SIPT can be utilized in each stage of a relationship forming that SPT is built upon (Griffin, 2012). SIPT relates directly to Uncertainty Reduction Theory because when we have an elongated amount of time to decide what we want to say, or how we want to interact via mediated conversation we can reduce the uncertainty we have when it comes to communicating. URT focuses on how people interact and communicate when they are uncertain of their surroundings (Griffin, 2012).

When researched in studies, theories like Social Information Processing Theory is usually analyzed alongside human behavioral issues. The statistical searches coinciding with SIPT have to do with the overall psychology of a person and how it may affect their privacy perception, the way in which they act, or even how our language can be altered. Social Information Processing and the usage of CMC when forming relationships and interacting has caused a warped idea of reality. Our comfortableness with exposing ourselves via the internet has shown a change in self-disclosure and our perception of what we should keep private (Tsay-Vogel, 2016). We are growing more accustomed to placing our most personal selves online because we have been capable of forming interpersonal connections over social networks.

Interacting through computer-mediated communication has expanded immensely over the span of 30 years due to our ever-changing digital world. As the media became a more leisurely activity, it became more necessary for businesses and news stations to utilize the tool. Social Networks are one of the most prevalent forms of media that is used through computer mediated communication. Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are examples of networks people use for leisure, but other websites  like LinkedIn have allowed people to build more formal online relationships. LinkedIn provides a space for business professionals to seek out job opportunities and other professionals across the globe. Beyond LinkedIn there are programs through Google that are used in places of work that allow employees to interact without face-to-face contact. Online interactions can be found being used in nearly every work-place beginning simply with the interview process when applying for a job (Fulk, 1987). The preliminary step when applying for a job is sending in a cover letter and resume to the company in which you are applying. Computer-mediated communication is the first interaction you have with an employer and with the linguistic message you give them, they have the power and elongated amount of time to develop an impression about you. The information they receive about you online, before meeting you in person, is the information that will lead them to either call you in for an interview or to disregard your application (Choi, 2015). When you are officially hired for a job it is rare that you will consistently be communicating with the people you are working with in person. Through email and other online platforms you will have to create relationships and interact to build positive relationships and strong connections.

When it comes to business and building your company interpersonal communication and interacting with new people is key. However, communicating is not always about interacting with people in person. Networking can account for a large part of a company's success. However, because we no longer have the opportunity to constantly network and interact with other businessmen and women in a face-to-face setting, but we are privileged to have social networking sites that can directly improve our professional profile (Fulk, 1987). Rhetoric and Communication scholars have found that  although there are no non-verbal or verbal cues used within computer mediated communication, it does not limit people from forming a relationship with someone else, but just that it will take a longer amount of time and more information is necessary (Griffin, 2012). Networks like LinkedIn offer the opportunity to directly connect and exchange messages with other professionals. If you are looking to expand your company you can network via websites like LinkedIn and have a better opportunity to perfect your messages, rather than when you are put on the spot at a face-to-face networking event. Computer mediated communication is adjusting the way we interact and making us think differently about how we communicate and how there are different modes in which we can communicate effectively.

Interpersonal theories like Social Information Processing Theory centers around the idea that we can, in fact, form interpersonal relationships through computer-mediated interaction. SIPT is a theory that proves that the way in which we interact is ever changing. Computer-mediated communication, although not always the best mode of communication for a relationship, can be the most efficient and timely. We are constantly having to interact with other people in order to spread and receive information and messages. If we did not have CMC we would not be able to interact with new people, grow businesses and form new relationships through interaction.

Interaction is a quintessential part of Rhetoric and Communication studies. Without interaction we would not be able to communicate our thoughts and feelings. However, we have grown to develop new modes of interaction which allow us to communicate with people more quick. Because our world is so fast moving we try to transfer information with others as promptly as possible. Computer mediated communication has come about to help us interact with other people more efficiently. While computer mediated communication does not allow for us to express emotion through our body language or facial expressions, it does allow us to form relationships with people across the globe. Without interaction we would not be able to communicate rhetorical texts, images, symbols, but most importantly our thoughts with other individuals.

Works Cited

Yoon Hyung Choi., and Bazarova, Natalya N. “Self-Disclosure in Social Media: Extending the Functional Approach to Disclosure Motivations and Characteristics on Social Network Sites.” Journal of Communication, vol. 64, no. 4, 2015, pp. 635–657., doi:10.1111/jcom.12106.

 Devlin, Keith, and Duska Rosenberg. “Information In The Study Of Human Interaction.” Philosophy of Information, 2008, pp. 685–709., doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-51726-5.50021-2.

Fulk, Janet, et al. “A Social Information Processing Model of Media Use in Organizations.” Communication Research, vol. 14, no. 5, 1987, pp. 529–552., doi:10.1177/009365087014005005.

Griffin, Emory A. A First Look at Communication Theory. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012.