Social Information Processing Theory. Social Sciences Essay

Social Information Processing Theory
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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 presentation to appear good in front of the other person. The values of the social interaction process include more freedom and lack of stringent rules and regulations to follow decrease bad behavior and the function of social standards (Castells, 2009). The theory uses perception and culture to release individuals from social influence but this always goes sideways as most people get influenced by the social life that others make them perceive. Culture has been used by many people and groups in society to determine the media liking to use (Olaniran, Rodriguez, & Williams, 2011).
Experiments of the social interaction processing theory were conducted by Walther the producer of the theory where he examined the impacts of time and communication by using video conferencing and face to face meetings on relational groups (Walther, Joseph & Burgoon, 1992). Information was collected from 96 individuals assigned to computer-mediated communication meetings or face to face meetings who were assigned a task to compete in several weeks. Results obtained from those in compter conferencing were evident too have increased to a positive level and they were equal to the group assigned face to face. The other study conducted was on the effect of information on individual profiles in the social media platform on social attraction. Walther et al, (1992) used two friends who had social attrac...