Key Takeaways:
- Using technology to communicate with others is better than nothing, but still not as good as face-to-face interactions.
- People are less engaged and don’t have the same positive emotional responses when using technology to connect with others compared to meeting in person.
- In-person interactions have numerous benefits, including improved learning outcomes, increased positive emotional responses, and better group dynamics.
- Computer-mediated communication can be effective when people are highly motivated to engage and participate fully with each other.
- The benefits of modern technology for communication come with some costs, including reduced social interactions and potential negative effects on mental and physical health.
Introduction to the Study
A recent review of over 1,000 studies has shed light on the effectiveness of technology in facilitating communication with others. The study, published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, suggests that while technology is better than nothing, it is still not a substitute for face-to-face interactions. Researchers found that people are less engaged and don’t have the same positive emotional responses when using technology, such as video calls or texting, to connect with others compared to when they meet in person. According to Brad Bushman, co-author of the study and professor of communication at The Ohio State University, "If there is no other choice than computer-mediated communication, then it is certainly better than nothing. But if there is a possibility of meeting in person, then using technology instead is a poor substitute."
The Importance of Social Interactions
Research has shown the importance of social interactions for psychological and physical health. However, the issue with computer-mediated communication is that it is "socializing alone," where individuals are communicating with others but are by themselves when doing so. The question becomes, is this type of socialization important? To find out, the researchers conducted a narrative review of 1,158 studies that compared "face-to-face" and "computer-mediated" communication. The main finding from the studies reviewed was that impact and engagement are reduced when socializing alone, as compared to interacting in the physical presence of others. Positive emotional responses were also reduced when communicating via smartphones, computers, and tablets.
The Superiority of In-Person Communication
A good example of the superiority of in-person communication is laughter, according to Bushman. "We found a lot of research that shows real health benefits to laughing out loud, but we couldn’t find any health benefits to typing LOL in a text or social media post," he said. Another key finding was that numerous studies showed that educational outcomes were superior in in-person classes compared to those done online. Some of these studies were conducted during the COVID pandemic, when teachers were forced to teach their students online. As might be expected, video calls were better than texting for boosting positive emotions, the research showed. Being removed in both time and space makes texting and non-live communication less beneficial for those participating.
The Dark Side of Computer-Mediated Communication
Results were mixed regarding negative emotions. Computer-mediated communication may reduce some forms of anxiety, particularly for shy individuals who feel more comfortable interacting online. However, there was also a dark side. Some people are more likely to express negative comments online than they would in person. Inhibitions against saying something harmful are reduced online, results showed. In general, the research found that group dynamics, including learning, were not as effective online as they were in person. Many studies reviewed found that solitary socializers do not process information as thoroughly as they do in face-to-face situations, which is consistent with them being less engaged.
Effective Use of Computer-Mediated Communication
Computer-mediated communication does best when people are highly motivated to be engaged and participate fully with each other, according to Bushman and Baumeister. Engagement was often found to be high among those in online psychotherapy, among highly committed workers, and among romantic partners. "I was struck that studies showed patients thought video therapy worked as well or almost as well as in person when their engagement levels were high," Baumeister said. "There may even be a bit of benefit in that people seem less inhibited talking about their problems in video therapy." The benefits of modern technology for communication in some situations are indisputable, according to Bushman. However, this review shows that it does come with some costs.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The researchers noted that concerns about the impact of technology on human communication go way back. Almost a century ago, sociologists were concerned that the telephone would reduce people visiting in person with neighbors. While it is essential to be skeptical of alarmist projections, the early returns are not encouraging. As humans, we were shaped by evolution to be highly social, and many of the benefits of social interactions are lost or reduced when interacting with people who are not present with us. The study’s findings highlight the importance of balancing technology use with in-person interactions to maintain healthy social relationships and overall well-being.
