Social Information Processing Theory. Social Sciences Essay

Social Information Processing Theory
Students’ Name
Institution Affiliation
Social information processing theory is a theory that clarifies how people use technological devices for communication to develop interpersonal intuitions and continue their communication over a long period. This theory major on the fact that individuals use text symbols to communicate with the absence of non-verbal signals (Hippler, Schwarz & Sudman, 2012). Communications have been linked to online communications such as electronic mails, instant chats and text messaging also referred to as short message service. Communication through computer devices takes a long time to develop rather than face to face relationships. Although it takes time to develop computer-oriented relations the dimensions and qualities distributed are equal as those portrayed by face to face relations. Some factors affect the way interactions occur in these environments and such factors include culture, age, and religion.
The theory on social information processing is dated back to the 1990s with the introduction of the internet and world web hence curiosity arose on the way computer-mediated communication can change the way individuals communicate with each other. It focuses on the process that occurs when communication among two or more people is done and the aim is entirely based on the medium of communication which in this case is the internet. It also focuses on ways through which online relations can shift from that of hating one other to a level of familiarity. The assumptions involved with the social interaction processing theory are three, for instance, computer-mediated communication provides openings where people can get to know one another. This assumption bases its argument on the fact that online communication allows one to communicate with another individual who is across the globe.
The other assumption is based on evidence that individuals that use online platforms can create their impression that they want others to see. The Illusion of a person is important in social media platforms and computer-mediated communication according to the theory. Relations aided developed via the communication mediated by computers is very time consuming as it requires the accumulation of messages so that it can be compared to intimate levels of face to face relations. According to Walther, (1996) the rate of relationship development in online users is affected by the rate of transmission of information than the ability of the medium that is supposed to transmit the information. Another factor relating to time-consuming is geographical issues, typographic and language barriers that face online users. Online relations can grow to be at the level of familiarity with face to face relations if provided with more time.
Social interaction processing theory has three phases namely impersonal, interpersonal and hyper-personal periods. Online communication can be used to avoid pressure peers and hierarchy in organizations thus creating the impersonal phase by reducing frequent personal contacts. The interpersonal phase is created when an individual is tempted to do more research and obtain information about the other person. The hyper-personal stage is when one uses a pres...