Blog Post #16 Conclusions about Virtual Communication 6/27/22
The science of virtual communication is as vast as the science in the physical world. While we are still learning about effects of the virtual world, we can probably feel confident in at least one thing - the virtual world is here to stay. Computer mediated communication is now so ubiquitous as it has pervaded our schools, work, commerce, relationships, recreation, entertainment, and a host of other aspects of our lives.
Because spoken language is a more natural and instinctive form of communication, human beings have to learn to adapt to the virtual experience. Our brains are hardwired for speech and written communication is a greater challenge to our brains. In the virtual world, there are so many communication barriers and constraints in the virtual world. When we are divorced from face-to-face interaction, we have reduced feedback and social cues, visual anonymity, and we lose many of the nuances of communication in the physical world. Media richness, or lack thereof, can affect communication. Our experience and skill with a particular communication medium builds our capacity for cognitive adaptation. Some, less natural mediums, require greater cognitive effort and a greater need for cognitive schema. Media naturalness comes from experience and when affordances are acted upon.
As we become more fluent in virtual communication, we can achieve new levels. Cognitive salience is the awareness of our personal identity at a moment in time. Communication effectiveness is also contingent upon our preferences, the sense of community within the medium, and propinquity where choice of medium affects relational closeness. Electronic propinquity through CMC can contribute to a sense of psychological closeness.
The virtual world clearly comes with advantages and disadvantages. There are not only communication barriers and constraints, but there is a learning curve that must be overcome. Some view the virtual experience as providing freedom of expression. Others experience depersonalization, where they no longer think of persons as individuals but rather representatives of certain groups. Some people build relationships online. However, dangers arise when hyperpersonal relationships develop.
All in all, my experiences have been both enlightening and positive. As I traversed the course content, I felt myself relating my experiences to the ideas and theories. I felt like our class virtual community grew, just as my cognitive salience began to develop. I learned to navigate the blogging platform and I ventured into new virtual experiences like Second Life. In my virtual world experiences, I became aware of community spaces and witnessed how the virtual world can provide an escape from the confines of the real-world. It’s been quite a journey.













