The Influence of Systems on Interpersonal Communication

Thesis

by

Zuzana Topolska

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Art

in

Communication and

State University of New York

Empire State College

2015

Reader: Dr. Todd Nesbitt

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank to the professor Todd Nesbitt for his patience, valuable advice and availability to meet and discuss at any time. Furthermore, I would like to thank to my family and friends, who provided me with enormous support anytime it was necessary.

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

1 Classical Model of Interpersonal Communication 7

1.1 The Nature of Interpersonal Communication 8

1.2 Standards of Interpersonal Communication 10

1.3 Interpersonal Relationships 11

2 Technology and Interpersonal Communication 14

2.1 Primary-Secondary-Digital Orality 14

2.2 A Brief History of Sending 16

2.3 Short Service (SMS) 18

2.4 Modern and Post-modern Approaches to Text 19

3 Effects of Digital Orality 20

3.1 20

3.2 Professional Communication 23

3.3 Relationships 26

3.4 Psychological Effects 31

3.5 Self-esteem 35

3.6 Gender Differences 37

3.7 Adults vs. teens 38

3.8 Deception 40

4 Primary Research 42

4.1 Findings 43

4.2 Limitations/ Future Direction 45

Conclusions 46

Tables 49

Works Cited 54

Abstract

This bachelor degree thesis focuses on the digital form of communication, computer mediated communication (CMC) and short message service (SMS), which were discovered thanks to the constant innovation of technology. The main of the paper is to analyze the effects of the absence of verbal communication on classical interpersonal communication.

The effects of communicating via SMS were examined based on the primary and secondary research. According to the both researches, the author found out that SMS usage has a substantial influence on language, communication, relationships, deception, and on the human psyche. The paper analyzes the above-mentioned effects and their impact on interpersonal communication.

According to the findings, the author states that text messages are written on a keyboard, what is very time-consuming, and, therefore, short forms, , and were implemented. Moreover, in the conclusion, the author states that the digital messages have changed the traditional form of language, in terms of grammar, spelling, and . Therefore, communicators need to understand the language of text messages correctly in order to achieve effective interpersonal communication. Furthermore, SMS could positively influence the quality of individual life, as positive social interactions increase the personal self-esteem.

In contrary, the findings have proven that SMS is not a sufficient tool for developing relationships due to the absence of verbal and non-verbal cues, which are more often present in the face-to-face communication. It does not influence intimate relationships in positive way, while SMS users tend to interact more with strangers than with their close relatives. The deception is also hardly detected through text messages, cause non-verbal behavior such as facial expressions and body movements cannot be observed. .

Introduction

According to DeVito (2001), communication is one of the fundamental components in today’s world. Initially, people started communicating orally and then progressively transferred into written forms of communication. Since then, oral and written communications have been inseparable and become part of human everyday life (Soffer,

2010). Consequently all forms of communication had been separated until the printing press was discovered.

According to Gonzales (2014), 85% of world’s population owns a mobile phone; therefore has easy access to communication with their families, friends or partners. This digital mean of communication has shaped the traditional form of a writing style, in terms of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The evolution of language was mainly affected by the speed of

SMS, because it is more important for SMS users to reply quickly than grammatically correct.

The use of mobile phones and SMS has significantly influenced interpersonal relationships.

SMS is a tool mainly integrated into teen culture. However, it has affected others as well.

Individuals are strengthening their relationships with strangers meanwhile their relationships with family, friends and loved ones are weakening (Soffer, 2010). Moreover,

SMS is a communications tool, where verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication are absent. Therefore, Soffer (2010) says that interpersonal communication via SMS is less effective than traditional face-to-face communication. He supports the statement by the fact that facial expressions, tone of a voice and body language, are not observable while

5 receiving text messages. Moreover, he believes that those are fundamental elements for creating personal or professional relationships.

However, SMS technology has also brought many benefits to its users, such as; speed, security, and connection, which are highly, evaluated impacts of SMS in the world.

According to Gonzales (2014), having supportive social interactions positively affects the individual´s self-esteem. Self-esteem determines a mental health and, therefore, plays a relevant part of individual’s life. Moreover, the emergence of CMC and SMS can be also considered as a useful tool for individuals referring to the fact that if self –esteem is high; individuals are psychically healthier and consequently have a better quality of life

(Gonzales, 2014).

The main goal of this paper is to analyze the role and effects of short message service

(SMS) communication on traditional interpersonal communication. This paper will define terms; detect historical roots of communication and its technologies. It will also describe characteristics of digital orality (where entire verbal communication is written) and provide a full picture of its effects on language, communication, deception and the human psyche.

The paper is divided into four main chapters. The first chapter is dedicated to interpersonal communication, as people perform this activity on an everyday basis. Therefore, it is essential to understand its definition, historical roots and how the interpersonal relationships are created and developed. The second chapter focuses on an emergence of computer- mediated communication (CMC) and short message service (SMS). The third part analyzes its overall effects of SMS based on secondary research on linguistic approach, interpersonal relationships, deception and self-esteem. The last chapter introduces primary

6 research carried out by the author of the paper, in which overall findings are compared with the previous ones.

In the center of this paper persists one central question: What effects does short message system use have on interpersonal communication? Since this field of study is quite new and just started in the 21th century, there are limited scientific studies facing this issue; therefore, the author has conducted research to support or contradict previous findings.

Moreover, this paper will focus on the analysis of the short message system and its effects on traditional face-to-face communication.

I Classical Model of Interpersonal Communication

The first chapter is devoted to interpersonal communication. As this paper focuses on examining the effects of SMS on communication, readers first need to understand the nature of interpersonal communication (IC). People perform interpersonal communication every day, as a result of this, the majority of them believe that they are experts of IC and consequently underestimate its overall impacts (Hartley, 1999). However, understanding the IC is not as easy as it might seem. Therefore, this chapter will provide a broad analysis of the classical model of interpersonal communication, in particular, the face-to-face communication.

More accurately, interpersonal communication, described in this chapter, has the following features:

• It involves communication between two people.

• The interaction is happening during face-to-face conversation.

• Meanwhile both verbal and nonverbal characteristics of the individuals are present.

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Moreover, interpersonal communication will not happen if the individuals are in the seclusion. Individual´s needs to interact with other person while cultural, environmental and individual differences are playing a crucial role (King, 2006).

1.1 The Nature of Interpersonal Communication

As interpersonal communication is a global field of study, many different definitions are established. This paper adopted the following definition of an interpersonal communication. According to Clampitt’s model interpersonal communication is like a dance (Hartley, 1999). Dancers have to synchronize their body movements and arrive in an agreement of where they are going. Throughout the dance, they need to follow certain rules, but also have an opportunity for flexibility, as they can add their individual style of dancing into it. Moreover, a couple of more definitions and theories will be explained later.

Moreover, significant linear model of communication, which is based on Clampitt’s definition, will be described. The model claims that communication is “linear and one-way”

(Hartley, 1999). In the picture 1.1 shown below, interpersonal communication transformation is illustrated. The sends the message to the receiver through a particular channel, while some noise may occur during transmitting. This model shows how people communicate interpersonally.

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Picture 1.1

(Interpersonal Communication Book- DeVito, 2001)

Dyadic (rational) and developmental approaches are two main theories, which help to define interpersonal communication (Devito, 2001). Firstly, the dyadic approach of interpersonal communication is based on two main terms: ‘dyadic primacy ‘and ‘dyadic consciousness’ (Devitto, 2001:4). Dyadic primacy means that each large group such as family, friends, or employees is divided into two people/two dyads. Consequently, they are the principals for interpersonal relationships. The next term that needs to be explained is dyadic ‘consciousness’. This term occurs, as the interpersonal relationship develops and individual starts to do concessions to satisfy the other person in the relationship. Overall, in

9 this approach, two people, who are connected to each other, have maintained a particular relationship through interpersonal communication.

Secondly, interpersonal communication is described from different point of view by the developmental approach. Interpersonal communication is characterized as a process, which is at first very impersonal, but develops according to social and cultural norms (Devito,

2001). These two approaches help us to understand what interpersonal communication is and provide us with distinct view on this study. Now as we know the interpretations of interpersonal communication, its standards will be discussed.

1.2 Standards of Interpersonal Communication

It is worth mentioning that interpersonal communication (IPC) has many distinct definitions based on different types of research. However, all of them agree that IPC is a process of exchanging unique aspects about individual self. Furthermore, all agree that IPC is a particular phenomenon, which is an independent field and therefore is studied separately (Burgoon, 1982).

A number of people have identified the standards for the Interpersonal Communication

(IPC). The Kings (2006) describes four main principles, which the communication is based on. Firstly, he claims that IC is “inescapable”. That is why people have to communicate all the time . Even when people are trying not to communicate through words, they are still communicating via non-verbal communication or facial expressions. Secondly, he claims that IC is “irreversible“, which means that once an individual says something loud to another person; he or she can never take it back. Thirdly, interpersonal communication is

“complicated”. By what, the King (2006) refers to different and symbols

10 individuals use. This also explains that IC may not be effective, in cases, where the meaning of the content sent by the sender is not clearly understood by the receiver. Overall, it may lead to misunderstanding, disagreement or conflict within an interpersonal relationship. And lastly interpersonal communication is “contextual”. Having described the four principles of IC, it is now clear on which standards is the IC built on.

Taking into consideration four IPC standards, DeVito discusses a relevant theory, which shows how the IPC works (2001). He describes IPC like a process in which all elements are interdependent. Moreover, IPC is a circle of constant changes, individuals are changing, communication tools are changing, and thus technology is changing. The elements in the process are independent, but at the same time connected. Each has a strong influence on the other. For example, there cannot be feedback without message and sender. This was a theoretical part of IPC, which will be later in this chapter supported by studies performed by scientific researchers.

1.3 Interpersonal Relationships

While IPC is taking place between two people, it strongly affects their interpersonal relationship. Further, interpersonal relationships can be excellently viewed from the

Symmetrical or Complementary theory. These theories help us to understand different behaviors/reactions of interpersonal communication. The Symmetrical theory says that two individuals are copying each other’s behavior. For example, one person is impatient; the other is impatient as well. This will most likely escalate to problematic situations in an intimate relationship. The second theory of interpersonal relationship is complementary.

This approach illustrates situations in which two individuals behave differently. This

11 may also lead to problems in terms of leadership, a superiority of one person over the other.

This may cause passivity, a subjection of the weaker person in the relationship (DeVito,

2001). Moreover, Hartley (1999) claims that interpersonal relationships can only develop if there is a high level of confidence, self-openness, and mutual interest among communicators.

In order to having a clear understating of interpersonal relationships, it is important to define non- interpersonal communication as well. John Steward defines “non-interpersonal

“communication, in which people communicate only what they must to (Hartley, 1999: 22).

An example may be a question, which is frequently asked in American or British stores:

“How are you?” Individual, who comes from a different country, may be confused whether it is a polite gesture, store communication style or habit of a certain culture.

DeVito (2001:200) also underlines ground theory for interpersonal relationships, which stands as: “Interpersonal communication is a process of adjustment”. In the other words, interpersonal communication is achieved only when communicating parties share common scheme of symbols. When communicators speak different languages, thus do not share the same system of symbols. It leads to less effective interpersonal communication, which overall affects their interpersonal relationships. It is necessary to learn the system of symbols, to be able to understand effectively what person means by his or her verbal and non-verbal communication. This is also true for the other way around. People need to share their individual systems of symbols with others, in order to clearly understand them and to maximize the efficiency of interpersonal communication (Devito, 2010). An example of a communication between parents and children can make it clearer. Both of them share different symbol systems, which make the communication difficult, as each person enjoys

12 interaction mainly in the same communication style. Thus teenagers prefer to communicate more with their friends, who uses the same system of symbols than with their parents. This is a very significant theory for this paper, as it plays a crucial role in communicating via text messages, which will be introduced in the second chapter.

Further, this section is dedicated to interpersonal relationships, its advantages, and disadvantages. Interpersonal relationships according to DeVito (2010) reduce lowliness, help to gain self-esteem, and improve physical and emotional support. Overall, interpersonal relationships help to achieve better quality of life, as it maximizes individual pleasure. However, while maintaining interpersonal relationships, individuals need to be cognizant of disadvantages as well. An intimate relationship requires disclosure of sensitive aspects of the individual. In particular, the pressure for self-disclosure is present (DeVito,

2010: 250). Interpersonal relationship especially with a partner can affect and shape individual behavior. This kind of relationship is so strong that it can influence other relationships. It may result in social isolation from family or friends.

Last difficult step is termination of the relationship. The interpersonal relationship has a powerful influence on all people. While the relationship is maintained; partners have certain expectations and desires from each other. Failure to live up to them is almost inevitable and may lead to disappointment, depression and eventually to the end of the relationship.

In summary, the reader should have achieved understanding of the nature of interpersonal communication while reading the first chapter. Now when it is clear how this paper defines interpersonal communication, and how the interpersonal relationships develop the next fundamental chapter can be introduced.

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2 Technologies and Interpersonal Communication

In the second chapter of the paper, the emergence of computer-mediated communication

(CMC) and short message system (SMS) that has changed the classical model of interpersonal communication will be examined. Firstly CMC and SMS will be described from the historical point of view. Secondly, the characteristics of digital morality will be genuinely presented. And lastly, different views on text will be analyzed. As the technology system has changed the traditional way of communicating, it is important to understand precisely the evolution of communication tools.

2.1 Primary- Secondary- Digital Orality

According to Soffer (2010:388) the communication technologies have shifted from

“primary orality” to ”secondary orality". In a primary orality written forms of communication were not invented. In a secondary orality, technology for written communication has already existed and was implemented for reading purposes of and . As technology continued to develop, “digital orality” came into existence, where individual’s verbal communication is completely written. Therefore, the orality of the CMC and SMS significantly vary from secondary orality.

The new digital communication through these devices express the phenomenal way of communication, which request specific communication skills, because of the usage of unique vocabulary and style of writing (Soffer, 2010). The aim of this section is to present characteristics of digital orality and compare it with previous oralities mentioned above.

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The essential difference between secondary and digital orality is in the size of the audience.

Secondary orality reaches a mass of people (TV, Radio); meanwhile digital orality takes place only between two people or a small group. Next significant difference is in their usage. Secondary orality defines the conversion from written text to spoken form of communication. This is according to Soffer (2010) not present in digital orality, as individuals tend to read their messages silently.

If we look back at primary orality, where no writing systems existed yet, there was consequently small chance of preserving information. The only way information was spread was through verbal (loud) communication. Furthermore, it influenced the slow progress of thoughts (Soffer, 2010). But it also had a bright side; it merged individuals together and supported public coherence. Subsequently manuscripts were invented during the middle age, which served to preserve information and enabled to spread it again to an oral culture. As there were few readers during this time, but many listeners, manuscripts were passed to others through oral organ- the mouth (Soffer, 2010).

To conclude, verbal hegemony had finished by the time Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1967. The result of this, as McLuhan claimed, was “the human voice closed down”

(Soffer, 2010:390). He also emphasis, that printing press had decreased/ or even replaced, the verbal form of communication. The availability of many books resulted in the progress of reading abilities and in the creation of new techniques to ease the text. According to

McLuhan, this modification changed the culture from “producer-oriented” to “consumer- oriented”, in which the first aim is to get as many readers as possible (Soffer, 2010).

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Before explaining the history of CMC and SMS, some descriptions are necessary. In the second paper, CMC and SMS will be analyzed as one analytical framework. Although SMS texting is sent most likely by mobile phone, not by a computer, these two elements have more similarities than differences. Firstly, both of these technologies were developed in the

20th century and secondly both of them have an impact on writing technique of many people (Soffer, 2010). The primary aim of the paper is to focus on the effects of SMS on interpersonal communication, therefore verbal and non-verbal communication via the

Internet (for example ) will not be analyzed. This paper will focus mainly on the analysis of the SMS usage, in particular, from one mobile device to another (Soffer, 2010).

2.2 A Brief History of Sending Messages

SMS celebrated its 23rdbirthdaythis year, as the first one was sent in 1992 (Beneš, 2010).

People were trying to deliver messages over a long distance faster than any carrier/ messenger since ancient times. In the ancient times, people were sending signals to each other by primitive drum, flames, smokes, and also by sunbeams reflected by shields or mirrors (Beneš, 2010). However, it was very restricted in terms of content. This problem was partly solved by carrier pigeons, which were proven to be very effective in 1870, during Prussian vs. France war, in which they delivered thousands of messages (Lawrence,

2010). Later on, Robert Hook introduced the first in 1684(Lawrence,

2010). He had discovered the basis of the telegraph, that were further developed by Claude

Chappe (1791, telegraph), (1844, cable telegraph) and G.

Marconi (1896, telegraph) (Lawrence, 2010). Therefore, the telegraph had been the principal carrier of good and bad for many years, until the CMC and SMS were not discovered.

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With the emergence of new electronic and digital communications devices, telegraph experienced steep fall. The last telegraph was less and less used. In the Czech Republic, during the whole year of 2009, only 760 telegraph messages were sent and received and, therefore, its usage was stopped in the Czech Republic in April 2010 (Beneš, 2014).

Consequently telegraph is not used in the rest of the world as well. The last telegraph message was sent in 2013 by the Indian post (Beneš, 2014). According to Beneš (2014), , , , emails and invention of mobile phones and SMS were the main reasons why telegraph ended. All of them enable individuals to send messages for not a large expenses, and especially very quickly.

Far back in 1984, when the SMS was introduced by the Franco- German GSM cooperation, the main objective was to use SMS on a mobile phone as an option for signaling communication (Cole 2010). Historically, the first SMS according to Cole (2010) was sent on the 3rd of December 1992 from the Neil Papworth´s computer to Richard Jarvis, who was at that time the director of Company. The message contained words “Merry

Christmas”. Later on, the primary purpose of SMS was to achieve low-cost communication with clients and since then it has progressively developed to consumer usage (Cole, 2010).

Since then, the primary objective of SMS changed gradually. So, recently SMS is not only used for business purposes but also for convenience of individuals.

The Reid et al. (2007) says that the unordinary popularity of mobile phone usage surprised not only the companies and manufacturers but also the communication researchers and experts. The SMS was a part of the pan-European global system for mobile communication, (GSM) where they decided to add short message system to a mobile device to increase the interest, but without any significant impact on commercial usage. Overall,

17 they did not consider it as a revolutionary addition to an existing technology, as people use mainly for calling. However, by 1990s, the cheap opportunity of sending messages expanded the communication between Europe and Asia (Reid et al., 2007).

However, the beginnings of SMS were not easy. According to Beneš (2010) one message per each individual was sent in 2 months in 1995. In 2000, SMS interactions did not increase significantly only to 35 messages per month. However, five years later 60 million of SMS messages were sent during the Christmas in the whole world. Moreover, according to Reid et al. (2007) SMS has become famous mainly due to the accuracy, low price, comfort, and social connection among mobile phone users, especially, among teenagers.

As the launch of every new technology, such as the telegraph, the telephone had always brought worries, the same reaction appeared during the introduction of CMC and SMS. The main concerns were regarding the traditional form of language, communication, and interpersonal relationships. All of these and additional effects of SMS usage will be discussed in the third chapter. In the following section, SMS will be more precisely described and also other important factors that made SMS so popular will be introduced.

2.3 Short Message Service (SMS)

Short text messages system is a powerful medium of electronic communication, which is fast, cheap and convenient way of transferring information from one mobile device to other in the range of 160 characteristics (Bertel et al., 2012). SMS made communication faster, and members of a group or society can interact with this technology on an everyday basis.

The Acker (2014) states that people started using SMS mainly because of the price. He claims that text messages were much cheaper than phone calls, and it was also very

18 convenient medium in situations in which individuals were not able to have a face-to-face conversation. Cole (2010) shows that voice calls were worth approximately $20 per month compared to $5 per month for the text messaging. Thus SMS made communication possible on an everyday basis for just $5 per month.

What should be clearly mentioned is that SMS is not a tool for long descriptions, but it is rather short and to the point. Therefore, SMS is the shortest way for transmitting information; it is much quicker than verbal conversation or email communication (Soffer,

2010). Also, another main difference between SMS and email is with the regards to orality.

Individuals tend to write to each other emails, however through the text messaging they do not only write, but also most likely speak to each other.

2.4 Modern and Post- Modern Approach to Text

In this part of the paper, two opposing views will be analyzed in terms of the text.

Modernist philosophers would state just one particular meaning of the word and won’t accept any other alternatives. According to Soffer (2010:399) their primary objective is to achieve transparency of the language, a “tool to put the world on paper”.

Postmodernist philosophers strongly disagree with this approach. They believe that a text is not just written of words. However, they focus on the diversity of its meanings, and also they take into the consideration different cultures (Soffer, 2010). Also, this approach is more open to creativity, ambiguity and individual style of writing (Soffer, 2010). This approach reflects exactly the interpersonal communication through text messages. SMS is not only based on sending messages, but also both communicators must understand creativity and various meanings in order to achieve successful exchange of information.

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To conclude, after reading this chapter, it is clear how communication tools were developed. It is also clear that the telegraph was replaced by the introduction of SMS and

CMC, what many people did not expect. SMS has become a very famous tool of communication since the 1990 and is still used by many people, especially by teenagers for writing social content. As this communication tool is highly integrated into teen culture, next chapter will focus on the hidden effects of this new communication medium.

3 The Effects of Digital Orality

This paper argues that text messages are not only a convenient medium for communication, but they also highly influence individuals’ lives. The SMS is a revolutionary technology that is changing the way people communicate, maintain relationships, play, and work.

Therefore, this section will analyze the overall effects of short message system usage on traditional interpersonal communication.

3.1 Language

Firstly, short message systems usage influences the written form of language. Hence, this section will interpret several of researchers, who have different points of view on the effects of SMS on traditional language.

To begin with, the digital orality (SMS) brought fear concerning the traditional form of language, which touched mainly the grammar, punctuation, and spelling (Soffer, 2010).

The text messaging is most likely sent and received by small number of audience and SMS users read them silently. As verbal and non-verbal communication is not present, individuals “toy around with language” to represent themselves and get attention (Soffer,

2010: 397). Individuals, who use text messages as a tool for their communication, write

20 their text according to SMS language (Geertesema et al., 2011). Therefore due to the short message system (SMS) the traditional form of writing style may quickly disappear (Soofer,

2010). However, Soffer (2010) adds important fact that the combination of the Internet and

SMS has forced, especially, young people to write more. Moreover, the sender needs to have perfect skills of the language if he or she wants the receiver to understand.

Geertsema et al. (2011) illustrates a significant study, where the primary aim was to find out the view of teachers (mainly 8 and 9 Grade) on the effects of SMS usage on language.

Before the analysis of overall results, it is important to mention that the study included text messages and as the most frequently used communication mediums among students.

Geertsema et al. (2011) study shows that the teachers of especially 8 and 9 Grades hold negative opinions in contrast with Soffer (2010) on the SMS usage in the literary and the school achievements. The research was conducted in Gauteng, South

Africa and had following findings: According to the study, it is proven that students ‘SMS language usage is transferring into a formal academic writing.

Besides, the nature of text messages includes an individual of writing. Text messages users tend to use shortenings (“plz”-please, “btw”- by the way), g-Clipping (“goin”-going), contractions (“nxt”-next), and initials (LOL laugh out loud), number homophones (“4U”- for you), letter homophones (“U”-you), non-conventional spellings

(“nite”-night) and emoticons (ϑ, Λ◊ happy, sad) (Geertesema et al, 2011). Geertsema et al.

(2001) point out that there exists a website Trasl9it, where literary English words are translated into SMS language and vice versa.

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Moreover, the study found out that the usage of SMS language has significantly affected students. The incorrect use of commas and full stops were frequently detected. It also resulted in wrong spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. The students were encouraged to use shortenings, g-clipping, and conventional spellings in their academic papers. Therefore due to the short message system (SMS) the traditional form of writing style may easily disappear. Michael Bakhtin compares Instant Messaging (IM) or in other words chatting to the carnival (Soffer, 2010), mainly because in the , verbal and non-verbal aspects disappear and consequently everyone feels equal. Therefore, users are identifying the person, and his or her characteristic mainly based on the typographic messages.

As the technology keeps changing, the form of SMS has expanded as well. Fewer people are still using the old way of sending messages through SMS. The majority of people now turn to even more convenient ways of communicating through Instant Messaging (IM).

With reference to Darisc (2014), IM is a combination of spoken and written language. It refers to a spoken form of the language because it is in the majority of cases spontaneous, unedited and informal (Darisc, 2014). At the same time, it is linked to written form of communication because the text messages can be read again, thus may be preserved.

Short message systems communication, in particular, IM represents new linguistic style, which usage may be for some individuals challenging. Due to the mobile phone applications, available from May 2005 at the Mxit free platform, IM users can send their messages thanks to Internet connections for free and immediately. These applications also have additional features for creating a message, which helps individual to express their feelings, wants and needs. It is very common for the texters to use emotional smiles, icons,

22 and short sentences. They are using those features, especially smiles and icons, to substitute the absence of facial and non-verbal expressions.

Lastly, it is also essential to consider the time aspect, meanwhile chatting. SMS users cannot text on the keyboard as fast as they speak. However, they try to do their best to type as fast as they can. The time plays a crucial role during text messaging. It is much more important to react immediately than to reply with correct spelling, grammar or punctuation.

Overall, it may be one of the main reasons, why individuals try to make their texts as short as possible. Also, it is worth mentioning that everything in the recent society is becoming shorter, so text messages may be just adopting.

To conclude, the language used in SMS and IM differs from face-to-face or written forms of communication. As verbal and non-verbal cues are missing, and receivers use different substantive forms of communication such as emoticons, to achieve satisfactory understanding during the interactions. They also write in their individual styles, which contains creative word choice and spelling. On the one hand, it is challenging the SMS or

IM users to play with language, meanwhile not to lose the traditional meaning. But, on the other hand, it causes degradation of the literary language. The frequent usage of non- literary words and grammar are blurring the lines of participant’s perception of literary and non-literary language.

3.2 Professional Communication

The next effect of short message system usage on interpersonal communication is within a professional communication. This part will also analyze the blurring differences between

Synchronicity and Asynchronicity and its overall effects on professional communication.

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CMC and SMS communication is also a humorless issue at the working place weather it touches the internal or external communication (Darics, 2014). During the face-to-face interaction, the receiver is noticing the facial expressions, speed of the talk, tone of the voice, and also other non-verbal behaviors, which are essential when it comes to the analysis of the message. In addition, verbal and non- verbal responses may play a significant role in maintaining a relationship (smile, eye contact, etc.) (Darics, 2014).

Darics claims that analytics focus mainly on the flow of the conversation between communicators. More accurately, they analyze the turn taking, pauses, silences and non- responses.

As the traditional method of text messaging with SMS becomes less attractive, companies and virtual teams are beginning to use instant messaging more and more frequently. IM enables them to interact with each other during working hours, despite their geographical location. With instant messaging, they can communicate and solve many problems immediately and it is for free. However, email communication is still preserved in the working environment.

Darics’ theory (2014) claims that traditional email was determined as “asynchronous” channel and IM were determined as “synchronous” channel. Emails were asynchronous channels because there was a time gap between the responses, which caused no expectation for immediate response. IM was view as a synchronous tool because people were replying immediately, which created a feeling of co-presence. The clear distinction between these two terms recently disappeared. As people can get access to their emails through mobile phones, they are consequently able to reply immediately, thus to use email as a synchronous tool. The fact that lines between synchronicity and asynchronicity are blurring

24 is also influenced by IM and it is used as synchronous tool. Its users wait minutes, hours or even days to respond to a text message. This connection of these two terms also plays an essential role in the working environment.

New features, which IM brings, compared to SMS are “Availability for Interaction and

Persistent Transcript” (Darics’, 2014: 353). In terms of availability for interaction, employees may not take into the consideration the fact that the individual is unavailable to interact. By the term persistent transcript, she highlights that norms of linguistic styles and strategies, which differ within each company, and therefore, it is essential for an employees to learn and understand the model and the culture of their organization. If the team members are unable to interact effectively with each other, it may lead to the communication failure, misunderstanding, frustration and thus less effectiveness of a company.

However, companies need to realize that there are generation differences in technology that may create ineffective communication in a team. According to Bertel et al., (2012) mobile phone with texting is a fundamental thing to have with teen culture. Therefore, they most likely have better skills with texting as adults, as they use it with excitement and passion.

Thus, if one virtual team consists of two generations with different skills, they need to agree on the way of communication inside the company. As the older generation did not implement texting into their culture, as teens, they most likely won’t have the ability for its usage or will not be able to use it in the same way as younger generations.

To conclude, the development of communication technologies has a significant impact on communication processes in a company. Instant Messaging (IM) is a convenient way of

25 communication, which is developed from the short message system. It is a new method of sending text messages, which is becoming popular medium within a work environment.

Despite their geographical location, thanks to the IM, team members have the opportunity for immediate communication with each other. It brought a big advantage for virtual teams, as they could be coherent despite the distance. However, all team members need to be aware of the traditional synchronous and asynchronous mediums and their combinations. If employees do not know the expectations and norms of their communication inside a company, there may arise misunderstanding, frustration or failure in communication, all of which it influences the effectiveness of the work space.

3.3 Relationships

This section will examine the effects of text messaging (texting) through SMS on personal and social relationships. Firstly, significant theories connected with SMS and relationships will be introduced. Secondly, we will analyze behaviors while texting with known or unknown persons. Thirdly this chapter will introduce gender differences, in terms of developing interpersonal relationships though SMS. And lastly, will show different expectations / norms, which majority of SMS users apply.

According to Reid et al. (2007) Goffman’s term the “expressive control” is based on three different theories, which interconnect with the users’ viewpoint toward SMS. The same theories are shared with computer-mediated-communications. Firstly, text-messaging users are not present. Thus verbal and non-verbal cues, which are traditionally available during face-to-face communication, are missing. Secondly, SMS and CMC are both written in a digital form, which influences the ability of individual self-expression. And lastly, the time

26 gap between creating and sending the message, gives sufficient time for the sender to rethink, revise, or edit the content of the message. All of these three approaches influence the users activities while using SMS.

For some users, SMS is considered as an impersonal medium for interpersonal communication. Therefore, their usage is limited. They only use SMS in order to get a brief exchange of messages such as yes and no answers. But for others, text messaging through

SMS is a favorable place for social interactions. The communicating partners most likely know each other, instead of being anonymous like in Internet chat rooms. Therefore they do not resist developing their personal relationships through text messages (Reid et al., 2007).

It is important to realize that due to time flexibility; text message users have more time to think and to construct the message. The user can set all types of impression he or she wants to make and focus on. Consequently, SMS users can take the advantage of the time gap between responses, users can be more honest, and they can be more relaxed as they do not have to expect any social distractions, which most likely occur during face-to-face communication.

However, it is essential to be aware of the fact that communicating interpersonally through

SMS, especially if the other communication partner is not unknown, may be a risky. Text messages give a chance for its users to create self- identity. It is very common for a young people to create a different self-identity. In a Finnish study, according to Reid et al.

(2007:5) “ smooth-talking prince of SMS turned out to be frog."

Furthermore, it is already well established that mobile phones, especially texting are integrated mainly into a young people’s culture. Young people’s culture consists of

27 teenagers and young adults (Reid et al., 2007). There are also gender differences while using SMS as a tool for developing interpersonal relationships. According to Reid et al.,

(2007) young women tend to use text messaging more frequently than men. They also tend to write longer words than men, including romantic vocabulary and emotional smiles.

Overall, young women have higher tendency to develop their personal relationships through SMS than man. Men use to write more shortly, less emotionally and develop relationship mainly through face-to-face communication. Reid et al. (2007) believe that genders usage of vocabulary and style of writing strongly affects maintenance and the development of personal relationships.

According to Thurlow (2003) research on text messages among colleague students, only

1/3 of participants used texting for practical purposes, and the rest of members uses it for creating and maintaining personal relationships, thus their messages contain of intimate information (Reid et al., 2007).

Another research, done by Bertel, Ling and Sundoy (2012) illustrates that SMS is a highly used medium within the teen culture because it creates friendships and arranges everyday life. Moreover, it is a place where they do activities such as developing their argot, building interpersonal relationships, communicating with parents or classmates.

Communication partners most likely have certain norms/ expectations while interpersonally communicating via text messages. According to Reid et al., (2007) majority of people expect that receivers will respond to their message. If responders do not reply, it is considered as undesired behavior. But if the receiver responds too quickly, he may appear as extremely excited or impatient. To conclude, if these norms and expectations are not

28 mutually understood between communicators, misunderstandings and problems may easily occur within personal relationship.

There are also specific norms that are connected to each generation, which are being expected. For example from a study that was conducted among young, the results were that in some situations face- to- face communication is more appropriate than SMS (Taylor and

Hapher, 2001). The research further more shows that it is unacceptable for all generations to end a professional /personal relationship via SMS.

To continue, Reid et al. (2004) have conducted a significant study, which will also sum up this section of the paper. They have conducted a large survey of 1073 responses, which were gathered via Internet. The research divided participants into two main groups; “The

Texters and The Talkers” (Reid et al., 2004:4 ). The texters preferred to communicate through text messages and talkers preferred to communicate via face-to-face communication. The texters were aware of the time they spent on writing and revising messages. However, they hold a strong belief that it helps them significantly in their personal and social life.

Opposite theory is held by Soffer (2010) who claims that hat the emergence of CMC and

SMS brought fear referring to interpersonal relationships. He distinguishes CMC as a social tool, which is missing the basics of verbal and non-verbal communication. More accurately, physical appearance, facial expression, body movements, and tone of voice are not present.

He, therefore, claims that CMC is less effective in terms of creating social relationships than face-to-face communication. He also emphasis that CMC can be more harmful than

29 helpful tool referring to a social relationship because it tends to increase negative speech act.

The full spread of usage of SMS has created concerns relating to the impact on social relationships. Since users have high accessibility for building a relationship with many foreign people, they tend to develop less and less their relationship with their close relatives

(Soffer, 2010). Thus, close relationships are weakening, and international relations are strengthening. Soffer (2010) concluded that CMC and SMS is not the best tool to use for interpersonal communication, but rather task-oriented communication.

Cell phone and SMS allowed individuals to have their private zone, where they can build professional and personal relationships. Many people, especially women feel safer, because of the opportunity to text someone immediately, if there is any problem (Dr. Plant, 2001).

In other word, relevant information can be announced immediately, such as late arrivals. It also offers time flexibility. People do not have to respond to the message quickly but have the option to reconsider the answer and then send it. This can avoid many misunderstanding in terms of professional as well as personal relationships.

Although SMS is known as a social activity, young users can become very unsocial. When we look back into Britain in the 1980s when the home computing began, we found many interesting studies. The results of this studies show that there were gender differences in the usage of the home computer. Furthermore, their peers were doing many activities associated with the computer-game, such as reading about it, having conversations about it, etc. Overall, the game linked them together, but on the other hand it made them isolated inside a room with their computer (Pedersen, 2005). This fear is also brought in terms of

30 text messaging and instant messaging within the young culture. As it was already stated in the paper, teenagers and young adults are the most frequent SMS users. Consequently, the face-to-face communication is still less and less used, as young people tend to communicate about everything through SMS on their mobile phones. This raises an important question. Is

SMS putting them together or pulling them apart?

To conclude, according to Soffer (2010), SMS does not positively affect intimate relationships, as its users are interested in interacting with strangers more than with their close relatives. He also emphasizes that it may climax to isolation and depression.

However, following Reid et al. (2007) study, easy availability of SMS and CMC created a unique opportunity for its users to get in contact with other people and interact easily.

Before the emergence of CMS and SMS, individuals were waiting for the response hours or days. Today, due to the evolution of technology, people can make their reply immediately

(Soffer, 2010). This resulted in faster development of relations, professional and personal networking expanded to an enormous size.

3.4 Psychological Effects

This paper will also analyze the psychological effects of the SMS usage, which was clearly established as a popular medium for interpersonal communication. The effects will be significantly connected with personal and social relationships; therefore this section will follow the previous study done by Donna and Fraser Reid (2004).

According to Reid (2004) it is calculated that 72 % of Western Europe has a mobile phone with the SMS function. In the United Kingdom over 1 billions of messages are sent and

31 received each month (Reid, 2004). Therefore, it is clear that short text messaging cannot be ignored.

Nowadays, as it was already established in the paper, SMS is a frequently used tool for interpersonal communication. As stated by Nokia, the center age for mobile phone purchase is up to 45 years old. From a survey conducted among 3300 people, the authors claim that

80% of them use SMS function as the most frequent cone compare to other mobile phone functions (Reid, 2004).

In order to find out about the psychological and social impacts, Donna Reid and Fraser

Reid (2004) have done a large questioner distributed to 1073 respondents through Internet.

The questioners included multiple choice and open-ended questions. The primary aim was to find out what communication channels are most frequently used and under which circumstances. Furthermore, once they gathered the data, then they focused on the impacts of communication channels on the human psyche.

395 males and 678 females between ages 12-67 successfully participated in the research.

The findings of the research divided respondents into two main groups. The first group preferred to communicate through SMS, therefore, were called ‘Texters.' Contrary, the second group tended to use mobile phone calling or face-to-face communication as tools of communication. Overall, the research states various personality characteristics in which these two groups differ from each other. Texters were notably more isolated and socially worried than talkers (Reid et al., 2004). The surprising fact was that both of the groups:

‘texters and talker’ preferred face-to-face communication for their “real self-expression

“(Reid et al, 2004: 5).

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The model above shows that loneliness and social anxiety are strongly connected to whether a person prefers to text or rather talk. The loneliest and most socially anxious people who prefer texting as their most frequented , where they also express their real self. The graph also shows that ‘Texters’ are texting with a smaller network of people than talkers. However, their communication is much intensive and more developed than the one between ‘Talkers’ (Reid et al. 2004).

Overall, there is a significant difference between texters and talkers regarding their motivations and personality characteristics (Reid et al. 2004). Texters were found very thankful for having someone always there, as they carry their phones with them everywhere. This allowed their frequent interpersonal communication to be very intimate, as they can rely on their friends and family to respond immediately despite their geographical location. They also develop their relationship more than talkers, because they feel more comfortable due to “visual anonymity and asynchronous communication” (Reid et al., 2004: 8).

SMS usage may also bring a feeling of loneliness (Reid et al., 2007). It is not resolved by a high number of social communicators, but by their quality. Most people need to have

33 intimate relationship with friends, a family member, or a partner who they can trust and talk to. To sum up , the feeling of loneliness is not caused by a small number of social interactions, but most likely appear from the lack of intimate relationship. Reid et al. (2007) illustrates other significant study, which shows that lonely people tend to switch to Internet for creating intimate relationships.

Reid et al. (2007) conducted an extensive study, which includes 635 participants. The questions were formulated in a way, to find out more about typical behaviors of mobile phone texting users during communication through SMS. The next essential purpose of the study was to find out if individual needs understand and learn how the affordance of SMS works, and then he or she can benefit from SMS, and whether social and psychological plays an essential role during this process (Reid et al 2007).

Finally, the results indicate that an individual need to be an expert on SMS, before receiving any benefits from its usage. Moreover, after the learning process, individuals use text messaging for their benefits. They mainly take advantage of the fact that verbal and non-verbal communication cues are not present during digital interactions. Especially,

“young, single and socially anxious” (Reid et al., 2007) SMS’ users progress their interpersonal relationships, in a way; that they would never have face-to-face communication.

This section should have clearly explained which communication channels cause which effects on the mental psyche. Moreover, anxious and lonely people prefer to create close relationships through SMS or CMC. They seem to be more effective in interpersonal communication through SMS than through face-to-face communication. However, not

34 every person who is anxious is also lonely. Loneliness can be described only as a temporary stage referring to the current personal or professional situation.

3.5 Self- Esteem

The text-based communication significantly affects an individual’s self- esteem. With a reference to Gonzales (2014), gaining social interactions through a mobile phone is a fundamental piece for achieving better mental and physical health. At this moment, self- esteem is closely associated with a quality of individuals’ life. As social interactions are essential for the self-esteem, this section will analyze if meaningful interactions can be transmitted through the short message system (SMS).

The usage of a short text message system influences individuals’ self-esteem and interpersonal communication. As non-verbal communication is not present, SMS user needs to express itself through mobile phone communication features.

“Sociometry theory” (Gonzales, 2014: 2) explains that self-esteem depends on whether social relationships work or do not work accurately. Self-esteem enhances or persists the same, if interpersonal relationships are working properly. Self-esteem decreases if interpersonal relationships are tense or ended. However, particular interpersonal processes have been implemented in order to increase self-esteem. According to Gonzales (2014), positive social interactions, feedback and mutual sharing prosper on self-esteem. To sum up, positive interactions have daily benefits on individual’s well being, thus their health as well. This point of view also supports the Sociometry theory.

The research of the self-esteem roots in the analysis of social interaction. It has been found out that positive interactions are beneficial for the self-esteem, and negative interaction may

35 decrease the level of the self-esteem. Moreover, “Hyperpersonal model “(Gonzales, 2014) explains how self-esteem is influenced through the digital SMS communication. It argues that interpersonal processes, such as creating a message, may be precisely created because the sender is not under a pressure of time. Therefore, Gonzales (2014) claims that text in the digital form influences more the interpersonal impression. The interpersonal processes such as positive social interactions and mutual sharing that have been proven to be effective in order to enhance self-esteem offline are even more helpful and personal when they appear in the text message, which consequently affects the self-esteem even more.

The next communication theory is the “Internet-enhanced Self-Disclosure (IESD)”

(Gonzales, 2014:2), which shows that mainly teenagers reveal more about themselves through text messages than through face-to-face communication. Other studies have also confirmed that individuals tend to disclose more in the online form of communication than in offline, thus face-to-face communication (Bertel et al., 2012).

To sum up, interpersonal communication is being more transmitted through SMS than through face-to-face communication. Moreover, this makes according to this theory, text- based communication more valuable for maintaining healthy self-esteem than the traditional form of communication.

In order to support the previous IESD theory, Gonzales (2014) has conducted research among 76 participants during six days. She gathered 3649 of social interactions through a various communication channel. The first result she found was in terms of usage of communication channels. The majority of people prefer to communicate face-to-face

(62%), the rest tend to communicate through a mobile phone (18%) or online (16%)

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(Gonzales, 2014: 5). The second essential result of the research is that participants tend to disclose their selves more through digital communication than face-to-face. This founding strongly agrees with the IESD theory.

To conclude, digital communication is not replacing the traditional form of communication, since people still consider face-to-face communication as an essential tool for interpersonal communication. However, text- based communication is necessary especially for the well- being aspect of individual’s life such as self-esteem. Thus, text messages can be beneficial for developing interpersonal communication but are not displacing face-to-face communication.

It is also a social tool, by which individuals can express their social status. The research done by Bertel et al., (2012) illustrates that SMS is highly used medium within teen culture for creating friendships and arranging everyday life. The research also shows that texting helps them while transferring from their childhood to adulthood (2012). Because texting is the main tool that helps to develop our teen culture, as mentioned by Bertel et al (2012). It is a place where teens do activities such as developing their own argot, building interpersonal relationships, building their self-identity, communicating with parents, or helping with school assignments.

3.6 Gender Differences

Short texts messages have influenced all age groups of people, however according to

Nurullah (2009), adolescents have been impacted the most. The mobile phone had created a subculture for young people, where they can free themselves from their parents and where they shape their personality. Mobile phone and SMS have been implemented into daily life

37 of almost every individual and therefore SMS can be considered as an agent of social change (Nurullah, 2009). Interpersonal communication is changing constantly from generation to generation mainly due to the development of technology, which enables individuals to communicate between each other immediately within theirs country and also abroad (Nurullah, 2009).

From the study that was conducted by Cole (2010), we can see that 82 % of adults living in the have their own mobile phone. Cole also highlights the point that increase of mobile phone usage will create many other options to exchange interpersonal communication for texting, such as Skyping etc.

3.7 Adults vs. Teens

Overall adults tend to use text messaging mostly for quantitate information, which includes mathematical response of answer such as yes or no. Adults prefer to discuss more complex issues during face-to-face interpersonal communication. In contrast, teens use texting with more passion and excitement because within their culture cell phones and texting are considered as a fundamental thing to have (Bertel et al, 2012). SMS allows young people to create their own “lingo and style” (Bertel et al, 2012). Thus even though if these two groups mentioned above would want to use platforms used mainly by young culture, they would most likely not understand it, thus not have the ability for its usage.

As adults do not have texting in their culture, they are unable to do it the same way as teens. As Ling emphasizes the main reason why parents buy cell phones for their children is to have the immediate opportunity to contact them, in case of any emergency (Ling,

2010). In contrast, Bartel et al., (2012) highlight that teens use the SMS to their benefit.

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They use it for example in situations, where there is ambient background which parents should not hear. In both cases it is clear that mobile phone helps young people to achieve independency by freedom, which they would not have if they only had access to .

SMS have been totally integrated into teen culture, while adults are far behind with its adaption process (Ling, 2010).

However, the number of contacts that teens interact with was significantly higher than in other age groups. Overall conclusion is that texts messages are sent and received by only a few close individuals, Bertel et al., (2012) emphasize that SMS is a small group phenomenon that changed the role of in interpersonal communication.

Moreover, Bertel et al., (2012) conducted a research, which was done among 31 Danish high school students. In the results, the authors claim that SMS is used increasingly used exclusively for communication ties, typically with family members or close friends, with which the individual communicates on daily basis. Because of that, interpersonal interaction decreases per day as individuals are also discussing private manners through

SMS.

Overall, the combination of interpersonal communication technologies and face-to-face communication can be very effective, but some individuals tend to communicate with the opposite sex only through SMS, because they are shy, afraid, or nervous of personal meeting. In this case, text messaging can be very misleading as individuals develop their relationship without personally knowing each other.

Older people have been very unwilling to adopt texting and even today they are not texting to any large scope. Referring to Bertel et al., (2012) adults used texting mainly for sending

39 or receiving basic information, which is referring to the 5W(What, Where, Why, When and

Who).

3.7 Deception

The next effect that short text message system caused to interpersonal communication is deception. Lying is very well known action within face-to-face and computer-mediated communication. This section will clearly define what deception is, along with theory and researches concerned with it and to what extent do undergraduate students engage in fraud.

Deception is not an unfamiliar act in today’s society. According to Wise and Rodriguez

(2013) person lies on average two times a day. Deception is the intentional act of sender to mislead or not reveal valuable information to the receiver (Wise & Rodriguez, 2013). If the receiver changes views pursuant to the sender, he or she will get to the unbeneficial site.

Wise et al. (2013: 343) divided deception into three different types: “falsification, concealment and equivocation”. Falsification is when the sender receives the receiver by providing inaccurate or false information. Concealment occurs when an individual is not revealing consciously necessary information. And lastly, equivocation is applied when the deceiver uses unclear and vague statements, which mislead individuals. All of them are used types of deception, however, under the authority of Burgoon &Buller (2009) falsification is most frequently used in intimate relationships (Wise et al., 2013).

Deception can strongly impact personal or professional relationships if the truth is not disclosed and that is how Interpersonal Deception Theory (IDP) was discovered. This theory helps to understand the definition of fraud and mainly helps to detect deception by

40 analyzing non-verbal behaviors. Referring to Wise et al. (2013), IDP is based on predicting the characteristics of the sender, receiver, message, channel and the environment.

Both, sender and receiver have to be present for deception to be possible. A majority of research on this topic has been done during the analysis of traditional face-to-face communication. This brings doubtfulness of IDP during CMC and SMS interactions. When individual is trying to detect deception, he or she is focusing mostly on the non-verbal behaviors such as the facial expressions and the body movements of the deceiver. However, through digital platforms as such text messaging, the receiver has a smaller chance to detect deception, as non-verbal cues are not present. Contrary, it provides an opportunity for the receiver to concentrate fully and put tremendous effort on the content of the text message

(Wise et al., 2013).

Furthermore, deception is a global term of study; therefore many different explorations have been done. For the development of the Interpersonal Deception Theory (IDT), additional research has been conducted in order to find out engagements of undergraduate students in deception. This is a very relevant study for this paper, as it indicates the text message effects, more precisely deception habits of undergraduate students. The study was conducted in Ohio, and 160 completed surveys were used to gather the results (Wise et al.,

2013). The questions were in a form of “5 point Likert-type scale” and were concentrating on exploring the habits and actions of deception through text message communication. The finding from the study reports that all participants confessed to creating and sending deceptive text messages. They also admitted that they get involved in false texting mainly with family and friends. However, they were less frequently sending deceptive messages in professional or business related communication (Wise et al., 2013).

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Even though deception is not absent during interpersonal communication, participants believed that deceiving someone through text message is offensive and inappropriate (Wise etal.,2013).

To conclude, as this study has shown, communication via text messages is regarded as an intimate tool for interpersonal communication. Important founding from a study mentioned above is that undergraduate students tend to send deceiving texts more in interpersonal communication with friends and family than in professional communication. An individual needs to use words and strategically in order to be successful in deceiving.

4 Primary Research

The purpose of this study is to research the effects of SMS on language, communication, and on relationships, all of which were already mentioned above. As mentioned in the introduction, this research was done in order to support or contradict findings from previous findings.

The survey was distributed to 150 people from whom 100 have completed it. The study was conducted in two main settings. First setting was Facebook, where 98% answers were gathered. The rest of 2% participants were given the survey through the second setting, their personal email. The survey was short (12 questions), it took respondents about 2 minutes to answer it, and therefore data from the study were gathered within three days.

The author made the survey through a website wwww.surivo.com. As this field of digital texting is new, it was an excellent tool to use because the gathered data either supported or contradicted the previous existing research.

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4.1 Findings

Next part of the primary research is result section. The data for 100 respondents, in which

54 were men and 46 women, were used for the purpose of this study. The researcher involved 100 Slovak respondents. The Survey analysis identified similarities and differences between variables.

In the first question, the researcher wanted to examine what type of language people use when communicating through SMS with their family, friends or partners. According to

Table 1. 80% of people claimed that they tend to use slang, short-forms and spell their words without punctuation while interpersonally communicating. Only 20% write grammatically correctly, with complex words and punctuation. These findings show that digital messages have changed the traditional form of language. The results also agree with

Soffer (2010), who was concerned that the emergence of SMS would destroy traditional rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation. In the Table 1.1, 99% respondents admitted that during professional communication, they always write with grammatically correct, with capital letters and punctuation.

In the second question, the researcher wanted to examine if people think that SMS is a sufficient tool for exploring person. Table 2 shows that 98% of participants believe that it is not. This finding supports Gonzales (2014), who claims that even though digital communication is frequently used; it is not replacing traditional face-to-face communication. To identify whether this fact influences people’s usage of SMS with respect to solving intimate problems, the researchers asked question number 3. Table 3 shows a very interesting chart, where 91% of people stated that they use SMS to resolve

43 private problems. Even though, they do not consider SMS as useful communication tool according to finding from question number 2, they still use it in relevant situations.

In the next question, the survey asked people if they perceive SMS as a negative communication tool with regards to relationships. According to the table 4, 67% of the respondents believe that SMS negatively influences relationships in their surroundings.

33% of participants don’t think that short message system negatively affects their relationships.

The further collected answers emphasize that people think that they lost their privacy due to the SMS usage. In the table 5, 76% of participants responded negatively toward text message control by family, friends or partner. The remaining 24% of participants did not consider that SMS disturb upon their privacy.

Further question focused to examine if SMS users tend to make important decision in their lives by sending a text message. According to the table 6, 94 % of users believe that significant decision should not be discussed through a text message. Therefore, this result also agrees with Gonzales theory (2014), which states that face-to-face communication will not disappear because of digital communication. Traditional form of communication is still essential in people’s lives (Table 6). 88% participants also responded that situations, in which they understood the meaning of text message differently than it was thought, happened (Table 7.). As participants were aware of the chance of misunderstanding the importance of text messages, they tend to discuss more important issues through traditional face-to-face communication.

44

In the next question, the researcher wanted to find out why so many people communicate through digital text message, even though, they are conscious of the negative aspects of it.

According to table 8, 63 % of participants, feel more confident during communication via text messages. Referring to Bertel et al (2012), text messaging is the essential place, where teen culture is being created. They feel secure when texting, therefore they are developing their self-presentation, own style of writing, and interpersonal relationships. As SMS is a highly integrated element into the Slovak culture, 84% of respondents tend to read their private messages silently; meanwhile they are with other company. Only 16% of participants consider this as a rude behavior while having a company (Table 8). The next question asked participants to provide their age. Only participants who were age 15 to 56 filled out the survey.

4.2 Limitations /Future Direction.

Limitations of this research are mainly referring to the fact that only Slovak respondents were included in the study. Thus, it cannot be assumed that the same data would be gathered in other countries. Also, there is no any assurance that respondents completed the survey correctly as the researcher was not present while they were filling out the survey.

Thus, it could have happened that they did not read the questions correctly or sometimes they even skipped questions. The researcher assumes that some of them skipped their date of birth as she had many missing data of the birth at the end. Some, mainly young people were lying about their age. The author came to this conclusion, when she review the data, and someone claimed that he or she is 120 years old. Consequently, the answer was marked as missing data. To conclude, it is questionable if all data that the researcher gathered are reliable.

45

Possible further research can be conducted on the same topic, but not only between the

Slovak citizens. Consequently, the result of these two studies can be compared. It would also be interesting to conduct this research in the capital cities in Europe. It would provide global knowledge of texting habits and its effects.

Conclusions

The new technology, such as SMS and CMC brought new type of interpersonal communication. Today, majority of people could not imagine living in the recent fast life without cell phones, SMS, and IM. In my primary research, 97% of participants answered that they cannot image communicating for a one month as people communicated before the mobile phone was invented. Therefore, it can be concluded that SMS became a highly integrated communication medium that people cannot even imagine to function properly without it.

In this paper, the author engaged in how people communicate. In the second chapter, the nature of interpersonal communication was discussed. The third chapter focused on the short message system, which have changed the traditional approach to communication.

Moreover, the historical development from primary, secondary to digital morality was described, to get a compact picture of how communication is being modified. In the fourth chapter, the effects of SMS usage were identified and analyzed according to many scientific studies. According to mainly Soffer (2010), Bertel et al (2013), Gonzales (2014), Rodriguez

(2012), Nurullah (2009), SMS usage have important effects on the following aspects of interpersonal communication: language, personal and professional communication, relationships, deception, and the human psyche.

46

In respect to Gonazles (2014), text messaging through SMS may positively increase the quality of a person, as it positively influences the individual self-respect. Reid et al. (2007) point out, that text message users need to become at first master of the communication device, and that especially young, single and socially anxious individuals can use it for their benefit, in terms of creating interpersonal relationships. For those targets, it is easier to maintain relationships due to the fact verbal and non-verbal cues are not present, which enables them quickly build relationships and express feelings.

In contrary, Soffer (2010) claims that due to the absence of the verbal and a nonverbal cue, text message system is not a sufficient tool for creating and developing relationships.

Therefore, he considers the importance of traditional face-to-face communication as essential and non-replaceable. Secondary scientific research gathered all of the findings above.

Therefore, the author of this paper also wanted to contribute to the research by conducting a primary research. The analysis of the primary research is introduced in chapter V. One of the findings needs to be highlighted, because it strongly agrees with Gonzales (2014) theory that traditional face-to-face communication would not disappear, as people still consider it as medium for solving problems and developing interpersonal relationships.

To conclude, from primary and secondary research, text messaging is not just a convenient way of how to communicate, but moreover, it strongly influences human communication, relationships and the human psyche. Today, there are around 1.35 billion mobile phones, which have a short message system (Darisc, 2014). Millions of mobile phone text messages are sent and received every day. Those text messages are written on a mobile phone

47 keyboards, which is very time-consuming. Therefore, the majority of people use short forms, slang, and emotional smiles. According to Darics (2014) it brings fear about the traditional language and especially about young people ability to write grammatically correctly. Others such as Soffer (2010) believe that sending messages made especially young people more involved in the writing process, and it has furthermore developed the traditional language.

I believe that usage of SMS system is a beneficial tool for interpersonal communication, despite the fact that new words and forms of language may integrate. However, if the users of SMS don’t understand the texting features properly then there is a smaller chance for effective interpersonal communication. Secondly, according to the primary research I observed that people are willing to use their mobile phones despite their location or their personal activity, which may significantly affect communication and relationships.

Therefore, I believe that people should follow certain ethical rules depending on the situation they are in.

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Tables from the Primary Research

In the following sections, tables already mentioned above will be illustrated. Moreover, they are showing the results from the primary research conducted by the author in 2015. By looking at the graphs, it is easier to understand its findings.

Table 1.

0

I am the type of person who prefers to write SMS with slang, short 20% A forms and without punctuaon

B I am the type of person, who writes SMS grammacally correctly, using complex words and punctuaon. 80%

Table 1 1. During professional communicaon

1% 0

I am the type of person who prefers A to write SMS with slang, short forms and without punctuaon B I am the type of person, who writes SMS grammacally correctly, using complex words capital leers and 80%

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Table 2. Do you think SMS is sufficient communicaon tool for exploring person?

2% 0

YES

98% NO

table 3. Do you prefer to solve inmate problems with other person via SMS?

0

9%

YES NO

91%

50

Table 4. Do you think negavely effect relaonships in your near surroundings?

0

33%

YES

NO

67%

Table 5. Do you feel that you have lost freedom through usage of SMS? (Control over the messages by family, friends or partner) 0

24% YES NO 76%

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Table 6. Do you think, that it is appropriate to make

important decisions through text message? 0

6%

YES NO

94%

Table 7. Have it ever happen to you, that you undestood the meaning of a text message differently than the sender though?(irony, humor)

0

12% YES NO

88%

52

Table 8. Do you read your private messages meanwhile being in a company with other poeple?

YES NO

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Cole, A. (2010). The Evolution of Short Messaging Service (SMS) as a Social Platform. Academia.edu, 2 220-260.

Darics, E. (2014, January 1). The Blurring Boundaries Between Synchronicity and Asynchronicity: New Communicative Situations in Work- Related Instant Messaging. International Journal of Business Communication, 337-358. Retrieved December 2, 2014.

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Reid, F., & Reid, D. (2010). The expressive and conversational affordances of mobile messaging. Behaviour & Information Technology, 29, 3-22.

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