The Impact of Anonymity on Perceptions of Source Credibility and Influence in Computer-Mediated Group Communication: A Test of Two Competing Hypotheses.
A study was conducted to investigate the effects of anonymity on perceptions of source credibility and influence in computer-mediated communication. Data were obtained from 82 members of existing project teams who were asked to make an ethical decision regarding a dilemma created by a dishonest tea...
| Publicado en: | Communication Research Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 100 - 126 |
|---|---|
| Autor principal: | |
| Formato: | Artículo |
| Publicado: |
Sage Publications Inc.
February 2007
|
| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| Sumario: | A study was conducted to investigate the effects of anonymity on perceptions of source credibility and influence in computer-mediated communication. Data were obtained from 82 members of existing project teams who were asked to make an ethical decision regarding a dilemma created by a dishonest team leader under one of four conditions where anonymity and argument quality were manipulated. Findings support the discounting hypothesis whereby anonymity undermines the spirit of the meeting system technology and, consequently, leads to ironic uses and outcomes; the inability to identify the source of information leads receivers to discount the contribution made during anonymous group interaction. Findings suggest that the anonymity that electronic meeting systems provide potentially undermines source credibility and influence. Findings are discussed in detail. |
|---|