Virtual collaboration: face-to-face versus videoconference, audioconference, and computer-mediated communications

Lynne Wainfan; Paul K. Davis

doi:10.1117/12.547427

13 August 2004 Virtual collaboration: face-to-face versus videoconference, audioconference, and computer-mediated communications

Lynne Wainfan, Paul K. Davis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5423, Enabling Technologies for Simulation Science VIII; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.547427
Event: Defense and Security, 2004, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

As we increase our reliance on mediated communication, it is important to be aware the media's influence on group processes and outcomes. A review of 40+ years of research shows that all media-videoconference, audioconference, and computer-mediated communication--change the context of the communication to some extent, reducing cues used to regulate and understand conversation, indicate participants' power and status, and move the group towards agreement. Text-based computer-mediated communication, the “leanest” medum, reduces status effects, domination, and consensus. This has been shown useful in broadening the range of inputs and ideas. However, it has also been shown to increase polarization, deindividuation, and disinhibition, and the time to reach a conclusion. For decision-making tasks, computer-mediated communication can increase choice shift and the likelihood of more risky or extreme decisions. In both videoconference and audioconference, participants cooperate less with linked collaborators, and shift their opinions toward extreme options, compared with face-to-face collaboration. In videoconference and audioconference, local coalitions can form where participants tend to agree more with those in the same room than those on the other end of the line. There is also a tendency in audioconference to disagree with those on the other end of the phone. This paper is a summary of a much more extensive forthcoming report; it reviews the research literature and proposes strategies to leverage the benefits of mediated communication while mitigating its adverse effects.

Citation Download Citation

Lynne Wainfan and Paul K. Davis "Virtual collaboration: face-to-face versus videoconference, audioconference, and computer-mediated communications", Proc. SPIE 5423, Enabling Technologies for Simulation Science VIII, (13 August 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.547427

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available