The Influence of Text Messaging 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 Mass Media 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 Messages 16 2.3 Short Message Service (SMS) 18 2.4 Modern and Post-modern Approaches to Text 19 3 Effects of Digital Orality 20 3.1 Language 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 aim 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 mobile phone keyboard, what is very time-consuming, and, therefore, short forms, slang, and emoticons 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 punctuation. 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. 7 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 sender sends the message to the receiver through a particular channel, while some noise may occur during transmitting. This model shows how