State of the Theory: The Hyperpersonal Model
Location
SU-214
Department
Communication, Media, and Theatre
Abstract
While humans have communicated in many ways over the years, computer-mediated communication (CMC) remains a relatively complex format that continues to evolve. There are many theories regarding the ways messages are sent and interpreted over this medium, one of the more unique concepts being Joseph B Walther’s hyperpersonal model. The hyperpersonal model puts into perspective the communication process and the possibility of relationships built in a digital format becoming more intense than those built face-to-face (FtF). Newer theories may be able to add more pieces to the puzzle for updating the hyperpersonal model, as seen with warranting theory and the hyperperceptional model, though scholars still seem to have found success in applying the model over the years. Cited in this review are examples of the model’s usefulness over time, spanning multiple studies and concepts. Despite integrations of multimodal forms of communication that reintroduce previously filtered-out cues, social media sites and other messaging platforms remain largely text-based, allowing applications of the hyperpersonal model to still be used when analyzing these CMC interactions. Regardless, the future of CMC is clearly moving towards multimodal-focused interactions to replicate FtF communication as seen through advancements in videoconferencing and virtual reality. For the hyperpersonal model to continue to survive, there must be a more formal update to the theory adapting the main tenets of the model to include various audio-visual cues and consider multimodal CMC. CMC has a long way to go in ways of completely replicating FtF communication, even with current VR capabilities, meaning the model can still be applied due to its “cues filtered out” central idea. Additionally, multiple sources cite a preference for text-based CMC by many users due to varying levels of anxiety in users, a decrease in pressure over text-based CMC, and usefulness for more socially risky messages, all of which help to solidify a long-term usefulness of text-based CMC theories like the hyperpersonal model. The purpose of this paper is to review current literature on the hyperpersonal model and to offer a critique on the status of the theory today. Overall, the model holds longevity despite its criticisms, and the research community will likely see the theory continue to be used into the near future.
Faculty Sponsor
Maura Cherney, Northeastern Illinois University
State of the Theory: The Hyperpersonal Model
SU-214
While humans have communicated in many ways over the years, computer-mediated communication (CMC) remains a relatively complex format that continues to evolve. There are many theories regarding the ways messages are sent and interpreted over this medium, one of the more unique concepts being Joseph B Walther’s hyperpersonal model. The hyperpersonal model puts into perspective the communication process and the possibility of relationships built in a digital format becoming more intense than those built face-to-face (FtF). Newer theories may be able to add more pieces to the puzzle for updating the hyperpersonal model, as seen with warranting theory and the hyperperceptional model, though scholars still seem to have found success in applying the model over the years. Cited in this review are examples of the model’s usefulness over time, spanning multiple studies and concepts. Despite integrations of multimodal forms of communication that reintroduce previously filtered-out cues, social media sites and other messaging platforms remain largely text-based, allowing applications of the hyperpersonal model to still be used when analyzing these CMC interactions. Regardless, the future of CMC is clearly moving towards multimodal-focused interactions to replicate FtF communication as seen through advancements in videoconferencing and virtual reality. For the hyperpersonal model to continue to survive, there must be a more formal update to the theory adapting the main tenets of the model to include various audio-visual cues and consider multimodal CMC. CMC has a long way to go in ways of completely replicating FtF communication, even with current VR capabilities, meaning the model can still be applied due to its “cues filtered out” central idea. Additionally, multiple sources cite a preference for text-based CMC by many users due to varying levels of anxiety in users, a decrease in pressure over text-based CMC, and usefulness for more socially risky messages, all of which help to solidify a long-term usefulness of text-based CMC theories like the hyperpersonal model. The purpose of this paper is to review current literature on the hyperpersonal model and to offer a critique on the status of the theory today. Overall, the model holds longevity despite its criticisms, and the research community will likely see the theory continue to be used into the near future.