computer-mediated social networks networks and complex systems talk series, indiana university...
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Computer-MediatedComputer-MediatedSocial NetworksSocial Networks
Networks and Complex Systems Networks and Complex Systems Talk Series, Indiana UniversityTalk Series, Indiana University
November 2004November 2004
Caroline [email protected]
Graduate School of Library and Information ScienceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Computer-Mediated Social Computer-Mediated Social NetworksNetworks
► Networks created, maintained, and dissolved by Networks created, maintained, and dissolved by communication via computer-mediated communication communication via computer-mediated communication Email, listservs, webboards, online chat, instant messaging, text Email, listservs, webboards, online chat, instant messaging, text
messaging, MUD & MOOs, the Internet, etc.messaging, MUD & MOOs, the Internet, etc.► CommunicationCommunication
Who uses computer-mediated communication (CMC), for what, Who uses computer-mediated communication (CMC), for what, why, and with whom?why, and with whom?
What media are used to communicate what kinds of information? What media are used to communicate what kinds of information? And to whom?And to whom?
► Life onlineLife online Are online ties as “real” as offline ones?Are online ties as “real” as offline ones? How do we work together, learn, create new knowledge at a How do we work together, learn, create new knowledge at a
distance and via CMC, with people we rarely or never meet face-distance and via CMC, with people we rarely or never meet face-to-face?to-face?
How do we design systems or recommend practices to support How do we design systems or recommend practices to support work, learning, and community online, and at a distance? work, learning, and community online, and at a distance?
► Social and technical impactsSocial and technical impacts How does being online change how we work and learn together?How does being online change how we work and learn together? How will wide-spread online communication change how we How will wide-spread online communication change how we
interact, and with whom we create and maintain relationships?interact, and with whom we create and maintain relationships? What happens if media are removed and/or access denied?What happens if media are removed and/or access denied?
Recognizing complexitiesRecognizing complexities►Multiple simultaneous influencesMultiple simultaneous influences
Context, social construction, norms, practices, Context, social construction, norms, practices, distributed practicesdistributed practices
Theoretical perspectives: Theoretical perspectives: ►social construction, structuration, and adaptive social construction, structuration, and adaptive
structuration; socio-technical systems perspective; structuration; socio-technical systems perspective; information ecology; social worlds; social and information ecology; social worlds; social and organizational informatics; social networksorganizational informatics; social networks
►New forms of organizingNew forms of organizing made possible by the development of CMC and made possible by the development of CMC and
ICT technologiesICT technologies► Far reaching impact of “the Internet” Far reaching impact of “the Internet”
the connectedness created by the juxtaposition the connectedness created by the juxtaposition of technical infrastructures and social usesof technical infrastructures and social uses
What happens as a result of laying media and What happens as a result of laying media and Internet connections?Internet connections?
Traditional ApproachesTraditional Approaches► Media and the people we communicate with are Media and the people we communicate with are
primarily dealt with as singularprimarily dealt with as singular Examining use of Email OR listservs OR chat; work-only Examining use of Email OR listservs OR chat; work-only
groups, or play-only groupsgroups, or play-only groups Face-to-face is still treated as the ideal standardFace-to-face is still treated as the ideal standard
► Media declared as better or worse by the number of cues the Media declared as better or worse by the number of cues the transmit rather than how they are usedtransmit rather than how they are used
Message-medium fit Message-medium fit ► Lean messages should be sent via lean mediaLean messages should be sent via lean media
Little recognition of context and variation in use across Little recognition of context and variation in use across contextscontexts
► But, we … But, we … Use multiple means of communication to effect relationships Use multiple means of communication to effect relationships Prefer rich media for all communicationsPrefer rich media for all communications Use media differently from our preferencesUse media differently from our preferences Communicate with people in many walks of life, in many roles, Communicate with people in many walks of life, in many roles,
in many different relationships with usin many different relationships with us
Complexity of CMCComplexity of CMC►MediaMedia
Multiple media available for communication and Multiple media available for communication and maintenance of relationsmaintenance of relations
► PeoplePeople Pairs of actors in relationships differing by type Pairs of actors in relationships differing by type
(friendship; work), strength, duration, etc.(friendship; work), strength, duration, etc. Multiple relations tieing actors, with the set of Multiple relations tieing actors, with the set of
relations varying by relationshiprelations varying by relationship► ContextsContexts
Distribution, across time, space, knowledge base, Distribution, across time, space, knowledge base, facility with technology, interests, backgrounds, etc.facility with technology, interests, backgrounds, etc.
External constraints on schedules, tasks to be External constraints on schedules, tasks to be completed, media available and/or mandated for completed, media available and/or mandated for useuse
Multiple calls on time and attentionMultiple calls on time and attention
My researchMy research► Adds media into the network equation & networks into the
media equation How can we support work, learning, knowledge, and community
formation at a distance, via the Internet and through computer-mediated conversations?
► Who talks to whom, about what, and via which media? What kinds of relations make up work and learning ties? How are these supported via all available means of
communication? What patterns of connectivity emergeWhat patterns of connectivity emerge among group members
because of what they talk about and what media they use? ► Connectivity effects
What do these patterns of connectivity reveal about the group and/or about its media use?
What happens as a result of laying media and Internet connections?
► Social and technological interactionsSocial and technological interactions How do communication media structure the way we interact with How do communication media structure the way we interact with
others?others?
Studies of who talks to whom, Studies of who talks to whom, about what, and via which mediaabout what, and via which media ??
►CeriseCerise Co-located, academic researchersCo-located, academic researchers
►LEEPLEEP Distributed, distance learnersDistributed, distance learners
► Interdisciplinary teamsInterdisciplinary teams Distributed collaborative research teams Distributed collaborative research teams
(in progress)(in progress)
Cerise: Co-located, academic Cerise: Co-located, academic researchersresearchers
► MediaMedia Unscheduled hallway meetings, scheduled classes and Unscheduled hallway meetings, scheduled classes and
research meetings, email (home and office), phone, fax, research meetings, email (home and office), phone, fax, videoconferencing system under developmentvideoconferencing system under development
► RelationshipsRelationships Formal or informal working relations, acquaintance to Formal or informal working relations, acquaintance to
close friendclose friend► QuestionnaireQuestionnaire
25 respondents (of 35 member group) answered 24 25 respondents (of 35 member group) answered 24 questions about a variety of work and social interactions questions about a variety of work and social interactions with 10-20 others (data for a total of 378 pairs)with 10-20 others (data for a total of 378 pairs)
Six dimensions of work and social interaction: Six dimensions of work and social interaction: ► Receiving work (engaged in by 57% of pairs)Receiving work (engaged in by 57% of pairs)
Giving work (57%), Collaborative Writing (32%)Giving work (57%), Collaborative Writing (32%)Computer Programming (56%), Sociability (86%)Computer Programming (56%), Sociability (86%)Major Emotional Support (7% of pairs)Major Emotional Support (7% of pairs)
Example of question formatExample of question format
TYPE OF INTERACTION Group Members: 1 2 3 ... 20
How often have you received instructions (i.e., exact directions on what work to do) from this person?
in unscheduled face-to-face meetings in scheduled face-to-face meetings by telephone by fax by electronic mail by videoconferencing
How often: D for daily W for Weekly M for Monthly Y for Yearly 0 for never For in between amounts use e.g., 2D for twice a day, 6Y for six times a year
LEEPLEEP: Distributed, distance : Distributed, distance learnerslearners
► MediaMedia Internet Relay Chat (IRC) for classes, ‘live’ office hours, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) for classes, ‘live’ office hours,
sub-group discussions, and whispering; Real-Audio for sub-group discussions, and whispering; Real-Audio for instructor delivery of lectures; Webboards for classes instructor delivery of lectures; Webboards for classes and the program; and the program;
Email, Phone, Face-to-face once a semesterEmail, Phone, Face-to-face once a semester► Questionnaire Questionnaire
4 classes of 14-23 (2 classes studied over time)4 classes of 14-23 (2 classes studied over time) 4 questions: Collaboration on Class Work, Exchanging 4 questions: Collaboration on Class Work, Exchanging
Information or Advice about Class Work, Socializing, Information or Advice about Class Work, Socializing, Exchanging Emotional Support Exchanging Emotional Support
► Interviews Interviews Students from across the programStudents from across the program Exploring characteristics of online community, learning Exploring characteristics of online community, learning
to be part of an online program and community, social to be part of an online program and community, social support, coping with technology, impacts of being “at support, coping with technology, impacts of being “at school” at homeschool” at home
Major ResultsMajor Results►Media use is associated with the Media use is associated with the
strength of the tiestrength of the tie►Media use is not associated with the Media use is not associated with the
content of the messagecontent of the message►Media choice is not arbitraryMedia choice is not arbitrary
follows a unidimensional scalefollows a unidimensional scale
►Patterns of ties and media describe Patterns of ties and media describe tiers of media use tiers of media use supporting networks supporting networks of different tie strengthof different tie strength
Media use is associated with the Media use is associated with the strength of the tie in strength of the tie in numbernumber
► The intensity of the work tie and closeness The intensity of the work tie and closeness of the friendship are associated withof the friendship are associated with Higher frequency of interaction Higher frequency of interaction * *
expectedexpected►Higher frequency overall, for each relation, and via Higher frequency overall, for each relation, and via
each mediumeach medium Maintenance of more relations Maintenance of more relations
(relational multiplexity)(relational multiplexity) * expected* expected Use of more of the available media Use of more of the available media
(media multiplexity) (media multiplexity) * unexpected * unexpected
Found for Cerise and Leep; also found by Koku, Nazer & Found for Cerise and Leep; also found by Koku, Nazer & Wellman (2001) for distributed scholarsWellman (2001) for distributed scholars
Media use is associated with the Media use is associated with the strength of the tie in strength of the tie in adoptionadoption
► Within a group, media appear in pairs’ Within a group, media appear in pairs’ communication repertoires in a similar order communication repertoires in a similar order Those who use only one medium, use the same one Those who use only one medium, use the same one
mediummediumThose who use two, tend to add the same second Those who use two, tend to add the same second medium, etc.medium, etc.
► Cerise Cerise (1) Face-to-face Unscheduled meetings (2) Scheduled (1) Face-to-face Unscheduled meetings (2) Scheduled
meetings (3) Email then (4) ‘Other’ media (phone +/or meetings (3) Email then (4) ‘Other’ media (phone +/or fax +/or videoconference) (Guttman scaling: CR=.92)fax +/or videoconference) (Guttman scaling: CR=.92)
► LEEP (two classes)LEEP (two classes) IRC, Webboard, Email, then Phone (CR=.99)IRC, Webboard, Email, then Phone (CR=.99) IRC, Email, then Phone (CR=.94)IRC, Email, then Phone (CR=.94)
CRCR=coefficient of reproducibility;=coefficient of reproducibility;10% cutoff (CR=.90) accepted as indication of a fit10% cutoff (CR=.90) accepted as indication of a fit
Media use is *not* associated with the Media use is *not* associated with the content of the communicationcontent of the communication
►What pairs communicate about *does* What pairs communicate about *does* differ by the differ by the typetype of tie (self-reported) of tie (self-reported) Work-only pairs communicate about work Work-only pairs communicate about work
relationsrelations Pairs who combine work and friendship Pairs who combine work and friendship
communicate about both work and social relationscommunicate about both work and social relations Friends include more frequent communication and Friends include more frequent communication and
more emotional and social communication than more emotional and social communication than non-friendsnon-friends
►BUT, they do not allocate BUT, they do not allocate communications of different types to communications of different types to different mediadifferent media i.e., no support for message-medium fiti.e., no support for message-medium fit
Two Patterns of Media Use Two Patterns of Media Use EmergeEmerge
►The ordered use of media by tie The ordered use of media by tie strength leads to media-based strength leads to media-based group-group-wide networkswide networks that are also tie-strength that are also tie-strength relatedrelated
►Patterns emerge over Patterns emerge over timetime, and vary , and vary with local use and purposewith local use and purpose
► Illustrated in the following sociogramsIllustrated in the following sociograms Note the differences across media, and Note the differences across media, and
across time (approx. one month apart)across time (approx. one month apart)
F97: Collaborative work via IRC and Email by Time
Internet Relay Chat
Group projects; Webboard also used for discussion, connected all to all
Time 1 Time 2 Time 3
Communication Networks x Communication Networks x MediumMedium
Webboards
Internet Relay Chat
Guttman scaling, overall communication all term (CR=.99): IRC, Webboard, Email, then Phone [nb: sociograms show end of term]
LEEP: Distance LEEP: Distance students, end of students, end of semestersemester
F98: All communications, IRC and Email by Time Internet Relay Chat
No group project; Rotating pairs for presentations; Webboard use started but abandoned in this class; it connected very few after abandonment
Time 1 Time 2 Time 3
Communication Networks x Communication Networks x MediumMedium
Unscheduled Meetings
Scheduled Meetings
Guttman scaling, overall communication (CR=.92): face-to-face Unscheduled meetings; Scheduled meetings; Email; Other [nb: sociograms show the socializing networks]
Network densities: .32, .13, .06
Cerise: co-located Cerise: co-located computer computer scientists, scientists, socializingsocializing
Cerise: Overall Work, and Socializing by MediumUnscheduled Scheduled Email
Socializing
Overall Work
Unscheduled Scheduled Email
Two Patterns of Media UseTwo Patterns of Media Use
►Wide connectivity Wide connectivity with low frequency with low frequency of communicationof communication Webboard +/or IRCWebboard +/or IRC class-mandated class-mandated
mediamedia class-wide, publicclass-wide, public communicate with communicate with
the class as a wholethe class as a whole
► Selective connectivity, Selective connectivity, with higher frequency with higher frequency of communicationof communication Email, PhoneEmail, Phone optional mediaoptional media person-to-person, person-to-person,
privateprivate communicate with communicate with
friends and project friends and project work mateswork mates
TheoryTheory
►Does this pattern of media use Does this pattern of media use suggest some simplification – a suggest some simplification – a general rule – that can explain the general rule – that can explain the apparently complex behaviors?apparently complex behaviors?
Theory: A new medium …Theory: A new medium …► Creates Creates Latent TiesLatent Ties
A connection that is available technically even if A connection that is available technically even if not yet activated sociallynot yet activated socially
► Recasts Recasts Weak Ties Weak Ties and Weak Tie Networksand Weak Tie Networks A new medium A new medium connectsconnects formerly disconnected formerly disconnected
others thereby others thereby creatingcreating new weak ties new weak ties A change in the medium supporting weak ties A change in the medium supporting weak ties
breaksbreaks existing weak ties, existing weak ties, disruptingdisrupting existing existing weak tie networksweak tie networks
► Causes minimal change to Causes minimal change to Strong Ties Strong Ties and and Strong Tie NetworksStrong Tie Networks Strong ties carry on through other mediaStrong ties carry on through other media Strongly tied pairs adopt, adapt or jointly resist Strongly tied pairs adopt, adapt or jointly resist
new medianew media
Creates Creates Latent TiesLatent Ties► By providing a technical means of By providing a technical means of
connectivity, social connection is now possibleconnectivity, social connection is now possible e.g., a physical location, a group meeting, a e.g., a physical location, a group meeting, a
webboard, a chat room, an email listserv, an online webboard, a chat room, an email listserv, an online environmentenvironment
► But … ties are not activated, i.e., converted But … ties are not activated, i.e., converted from latent to weak, until some sort of social from latent to weak, until some sort of social interaction occursinteraction occurs e.g., by attending a group wide meeting, by e.g., by attending a group wide meeting, by
reading the webboard, by posting to a bulletin reading the webboard, by posting to a bulletin boardboard
► NB: This latent tie structure is likely to be set NB: This latent tie structure is likely to be set up by an authority beyond the individuals up by an authority beyond the individuals affected.affected.
Recasts Recasts Weak Ties and Weak Tie Weak Ties and Weak Tie NetworksNetworks
► Integrative EffectsIntegrative Effects Connecting disparate others Connecting disparate others createscreates weak ties weak ties Change can be Change can be
►TechnicalTechnical, e.g., creation of a community network; , e.g., creation of a community network; AdministrativeAdministrative, e.g., creation of an electronic list for , e.g., creation of an electronic list for organization wide discussion; organization wide discussion; SocialSocial, e.g., creating a , e.g., creating a web environment for interest-based discussionsweb environment for interest-based discussions
►Disintegrative EffectsDisintegrative Effects Removing passively accepted connectivity Removing passively accepted connectivity
breaksbreaks weak ties weak ties Change can be Change can be
►TechnicalTechnical, e.g., removal of network connections; , e.g., removal of network connections; AdministrativeAdministrative, e.g., removal of access to lists and or , e.g., removal of access to lists and or removal from a list; removal from a list; SocialSocial, e.g., from a ftf meeting to a , e.g., from a ftf meeting to a listserv for discussion, from asynchronous discussion listserv for discussion, from asynchronous discussion mode to synchronousmode to synchronous
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Increase in connectivity via IRC over time; IRC supported weak ties as determined by to where IRC fit in the unidimensional scale, and by the frequency of communication typically found for IRC
Integrative effects: A new medium Integrative effects: A new medium createscreates connections among weak tiesconnections among weak ties
F97: Internet Relay Chat
End of Month 1 End of Month 2 End of Month 3
Disintegrative effects: A change in the Disintegrative effects: A change in the medium supporting weak-ties medium supporting weak-ties breaksbreaks existing existing
weak tiesweak ties
Rapid decline in Webboard after official class use was terminated. Note the loss of connectivity among the weakly tied pairs.
F98: Webboard (non-)UseF98: Webboard (non-)Use
End of Month 1 End of Month 2 End of Month 3
Causes minimal change to Causes minimal change to Strong Ties and Strong Tie NetworksStrong Ties and Strong Tie Networks
► If there is a change in a medium used by strong If there is a change in a medium used by strong ties, such ties can carry on through other mediaties, such ties can carry on through other media e.g., strongly tied work pairs can carry on through e.g., strongly tied work pairs can carry on through
Email if IRC is removed, or vice-versaEmail if IRC is removed, or vice-versa
► Because of their need or desire to communicateBecause of their need or desire to communicate They are likely to adopt an extra medium if it is useful They are likely to adopt an extra medium if it is useful
for maintaining relations important to the tiefor maintaining relations important to the tie
► Because of their influence on each otherBecause of their influence on each other They can jointly adapt the use of a new medium to be They can jointly adapt the use of a new medium to be
useful for the tie, or resist its use if it does not suit useful for the tie, or resist its use if it does not suit their needs or ways of workingtheir needs or ways of working
ImplicationsImplications
► Adding media use to characteristics of tiesAdding media use to characteristics of ties► Revisiting conflicting results about CMC as Revisiting conflicting results about CMC as
arguments about maintaining ties arguments about maintaining ties ► Resolving conflicting results about the Resolving conflicting results about the
integrative and disintegrative effects of CMC integrative and disintegrative effects of CMC ► Support of static and dynamic needs of Support of static and dynamic needs of
groupsgroups► Choices about media implementationChoices about media implementation►Wider impacts of media connectivityWider impacts of media connectivity
Add Media Use to Tie Strength Add Media Use to Tie Strength CharacteristicsCharacteristics
Weak Ties … Weak Ties … ► Media UseMedia Use
Use few means of Use few means of communicationcommunication
Use organizationally-Use organizationally-established mediaestablished media
Communicate Communicate infrequently via the one infrequently via the one to two media they useto two media they use
► Whole network supportWhole network support Weak tie networks were Weak tie networks were
created and sustained created and sustained via the mandated, via the mandated, organization or group-organization or group-wide mediawide media
… … Strong TiesStrong Ties► Media UseMedia Use
Use multiple means of Use multiple means of communicationcommunication
Use organizationally-Use organizationally-established media as a established media as a base on which they add base on which they add other mediaother media
Use private, person-to-Use private, person-to-person communication person communication (e.g., use email very (e.g., use email very frequently)frequently)
► Whole network SupportWhole network Support Strongly tie networks are Strongly tie networks are
supported through both supported through both mandated media and mandated media and other optional, more other optional, more private, means of private, means of communicationcommunication
Revisiting conflicting results about Revisiting conflicting results about CMCCMC
Arguments against CMCArguments against CMC
LeanLean► Text-based, reduced cuesText-based, reduced cues► Ill-suited to emotional, Ill-suited to emotional,
expressive, complex expressive, complex communicationscommunications
DisintegrativeDisintegrative► Anti-social flamingAnti-social flaming► Decreased social Decreased social
involvement (Nie, 2001)involvement (Nie, 2001)► Abandonment of local Abandonment of local
relationships (Kraut, et al, relationships (Kraut, et al, 1998)1998)
Arguments for CMCArguments for CMC
RichRich► Emoticons and acronyms Emoticons and acronyms
(McLaughlin, et al, 1995)(McLaughlin, et al, 1995)► Group defined genres and rules of Group defined genres and rules of
conduct (Orlikowski & Yates, 1994; conduct (Orlikowski & Yates, 1994; Bregman & Haythornthwaite, 2003)Bregman & Haythornthwaite, 2003)
► Interpersonal self-disclosure, Interpersonal self-disclosure, emotional support; online emotional support; online communities (e.g., Haythornthwaite communities (e.g., Haythornthwaite et al, 2000; Baym 2001)et al, 2000; Baym 2001)
IntegrativeIntegrative► Connecting disparate others: Connecting disparate others:
Bringing inBringing in peripheral players, peripheral players, spanning time and space (Sproull & spanning time and space (Sproull & Kiesler, 1991)Kiesler, 1991)
► Maintaining connections even when Maintaining connections even when distributed (LaRose, Eastin & distributed (LaRose, Eastin & Gregg, 2001; Hampton & Wellman, Gregg, 2001; Hampton & Wellman, 2002)2002)
Revisiting conflicting results about Revisiting conflicting results about CMC as arguments about CMC as arguments about
maintaining tiesmaintaining tiesArguments against CMCArguments against CMC
LeanLean► Inadequate for the Inadequate for the
emotional and emotional and intellectual interactions intellectual interactions that support strong tiesthat support strong ties
DisintegrativeDisintegrative► new media are new media are
disrupting existing disrupting existing networks of networks of communicationcommunication
Arguments for CMCArguments for CMC
RichRich► Strong tie needs Strong tie needs
reintroduced by those reintroduced by those with strong desire to with strong desire to communicatecommunicate
IntegrativeIntegrative► new media are new media are
creating networks of creating networks of communicationcommunication
Implications for Support Groups : Implications for Support Groups : Static DemandsStatic Demands
► Information exchange for innovation, Information exchange for innovation, learning, exposure to new ideaslearning, exposure to new ideas The strength of weak tiesThe strength of weak ties The strength of media group-wide, mandated, The strength of media group-wide, mandated,
public mediapublic media
► Task completion related to working Task completion related to working together, joint problem solving, projects, together, joint problem solving, projects, etc.etc. The strength of strong tiesThe strength of strong ties The strength of person-to-person, optional, The strength of person-to-person, optional,
private mediaprivate media
Implications for Support of Groups: Implications for Support of Groups: Dynamic DemandsDynamic Demands
► Support first time connections Support first time connections Organizationally established, group-Organizationally established, group-
wide media lay the “latent tie networks” wide media lay the “latent tie networks” ► Need to provide the technical and social Need to provide the technical and social
means for initial contact means for initial contact
► Support growth of tie strengthSupport growth of tie strength► Need to provide social and technical Need to provide social and technical
interventions such as public and private interventions such as public and private means of communication, and opportunities means of communication, and opportunities for social and emotional interactions that for social and emotional interactions that build strong tiesbuild strong ties
Implications for Choices about Implications for Choices about Media ImplementationMedia Implementation
► Organizational, administrative, Organizational, administrative, governmental choices have greatest impact governmental choices have greatest impact on weak tie networkson weak tie networks Which medium is used across the group as a Which medium is used across the group as a
whole depends on what is organizationally whole depends on what is organizationally mandatedmandated
Choices about group-wide means of Choices about group-wide means of communication lay the groundwork for weak tie communication lay the groundwork for weak tie contact contact
Which medium supports weak tie networks will Which medium supports weak tie networks will vary according to local conditionsvary according to local conditions
► Choices are both technical and socialChoices are both technical and social Interventions, mandates, support for use affect Interventions, mandates, support for use affect
how much the new media changes, supports how much the new media changes, supports and serves the weak tie networkand serves the weak tie network
Implications for Wider ImpactsImplications for Wider Impacts► Internet as groundwork for latent ties Internet as groundwork for latent ties
Provides easy way for groups to adopt Provides easy way for groups to adopt peer-to-peer communicationpeer-to-peer communication
Weak ties emerge based on interestWeak ties emerge based on interest►Activists, scholars, support groups, Usenet Activists, scholars, support groups, Usenet
discussion groups, online courses and discussion groups, online courses and degree programsdegree programs
Weak ties can grow into stronger tiesWeak ties can grow into stronger ties►Online communities, community networksOnline communities, community networks►Adding new connections: face-to-face Adding new connections: face-to-face
meetings, synchronous online meetings, meetings, synchronous online meetings, private email added to public discussionprivate email added to public discussion
Implications for Wider ImpactsImplications for Wider Impacts
►Latent ties connections get Latent ties connections get appropriatedappropriated HijackedHijacked
►Viruses use your email lists to spreadViruses use your email lists to spread
Borrowed/MinedBorrowed/Mined►Address lists used to create business contact Address lists used to create business contact
networksnetworks
SeveredSevered►Viruses that bring down systemsViruses that bring down systems►Job changes that lead to loss of network Job changes that lead to loss of network
connection and contactsconnection and contacts
SummarySummary► Ties Matter . . . Ties Matter . . .
Linear tie strength has non-linear effect on CMC-Linear tie strength has non-linear effect on CMC-supported social networkssupported social networks
Different media effects reconcile by considering Different media effects reconcile by considering the strength of tie between communicatorsthe strength of tie between communicators
► Media Matter . . . Media Matter . . . Organizationally established and sanctioned Organizationally established and sanctioned
media provide latent and weak tie connectivity, media provide latent and weak tie connectivity, and a base on which ties can growand a base on which ties can grow
Changes will impact weak ties more than strongChanges will impact weak ties more than strong Impact of changes will depend *not* on what Impact of changes will depend *not* on what
medium is added or removed, but on *what medium is added or removed, but on *what niche* the medium fills (e.g., public or private)niche* the medium fills (e.g., public or private)
SummarySummary► Time and Timing MatterTime and Timing Matter
Ties grow over time, and their needs change Ties grow over time, and their needs change over timeover time
Media use differs over time as ties grow or Media use differs over time as ties grow or changechange
► Ties x MediaTies x Media Tiers of media support networks of different tie Tiers of media support networks of different tie
strengthsstrengths Changes in media will have a more permanent Changes in media will have a more permanent
effect of weak ties than strong tieseffect of weak ties than strong ties
The EndThe End► Haythornthwaite, C. (2002). Strong, weak and latent ties and the impact of Haythornthwaite, C. (2002). Strong, weak and latent ties and the impact of
new media.The Information Society,18(5), 1-17.new media.The Information Society,18(5), 1-17.
► ___ (2003). Supporting distributed relationships: Social networks of ___ (2003). Supporting distributed relationships: Social networks of relations and media use over time. Electronic Journal of Communication, relations and media use over time. Electronic Journal of Communication, 13(1). http://www.cios.org/getfile/haythorn_v13n1 13(1). http://www.cios.org/getfile/haythorn_v13n1
► ___ (2001). Exploring multiplexity: Social network structures in a computer-___ (2001). Exploring multiplexity: Social network structures in a computer-supported distance learning class. The Information Society, 17(3), 211-226.supported distance learning class. The Information Society, 17(3), 211-226.
► ____(2000). Online personal networks: Size, composition and media use ____(2000). Online personal networks: Size, composition and media use among distance learners. New Media and Society, 2(2), 195-226.among distance learners. New Media and Society, 2(2), 195-226.
► ____(2002). Building social networks via computer networks. In K.A. ____(2002). Building social networks via computer networks. In K.A. Renninger & W. Shumar, Building Virtual Communities (pp.159-190). Renninger & W. Shumar, Building Virtual Communities (pp.159-190). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
► ____ (forthcoming, 2005). Social networks and Internet connectivity effects. ____ (forthcoming, 2005). Social networks and Internet connectivity effects. Information, Communication and Society.Information, Communication and Society.
► Haythornthwaite, C. & Hagar, C. (2004). The social worlds of the web. Haythornthwaite, C. & Hagar, C. (2004). The social worlds of the web. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology, 39, 311-346.Annual Review of Information Science and Technology, 39, 311-346.
► Wellman, B. & Haythornthwaite (Eds.) (2002). The Internet in Everyday Wellman, B. & Haythornthwaite (Eds.) (2002). The Internet in Everyday Life. Oxford UK: Blackwell.Life. Oxford UK: Blackwell.
►EXTRAS BEYOND HEREEXTRAS BEYOND HERE
The Meeting RoomMeet and Greet
Down to Business
After Hours
The Meeting Room
Meet and Greet
Down to Business
After Hours
Meetings = a socio-technical means of connecting people. Meeting called by authority beyond meeting members. Authority establishes who will be there, the agenda, how interactions will proceed.
Latent ties existing because of joint membership in the meeting are activated into weak ties by introductions, exchange of personal history.
Weak ties grow stronger as people learn to work together, learning more about each other, sharing information, completing tasks.
Strong ties are reinforced as weak, working ties are extended to include experiences outside work, in different settings, and more personal exchanges.
The Online Chat Room
Meet and Greet
Down to Business
After Hours
Chat Room = a socio-technical means of connecting people. Chat technology and Chat room orientation established by authority beyond chat room participants. Authorities dictate who can join, what they will be allowed to post, how interactions will proceed.
Latent ties existing because of joint presence in the chat room are activated into weak ties by introductions, exchange of personal history.
Weak ties grow stronger as people learn to work or play together, learning more about each other, sharing information, completing tasks.
Strong ties are reinforced as weak work or play ties are extended to include experiences offline, in different settings, and more personal exchanges.