Some research facts/discoveries on on-line assessment of forummers.....
.........some of the ways that computer-mediated communication ( CMC ) influences how
we view others and ourselves. Based on our examination of available theory and research, there are
three overall conclusions that seem to be warranted regarding the characteristics of social
perceptions in cyberspace. All three are related to the general idea that perceptions are indeed
influenced by the medium, but not always in ways that are straightforward.
First, despite the apparently impoverished text-based nature of most forms of CMC, people do
form impressions of each other and they do develop strong interpersonal relationships online. The
cues that influence perceptions may differ from those present in face-to-face interaction, but it seems
people can learn to attend to them and to use them, given enough time and motivation to do so.
Second, the medium can produce negative perceptions of others as cold, uncaring, hostile, etc.,
but it can also exaggerate positive aspects of impressions as well. In general, CMC may make
certain interpersonal processes more extreme than they are in face-to-face situations, with the
direction of the effect dependent on factors external to the medium itself. For example, the same
cues can produce impressions that are opposite in affective tone, depending on the salience of
perceiver’s group identity or the cognitive categories that are most accessible to the perceiver.
A third conclusion is that meta-perceptions are distorted by at least some forms of the medium
such that people may be less accurate in judging how others view them than they are in face-to-face
interactions. This may be because people have not yet developed a clear idea of how much others
attend to certain cues and how they interpret them in CMC. It is also likely that reduced feedback
from others when interaction is limited makes assessing the impact of an impression on others
difficult.....
...so are you still keen to form your assessment of forummers here? most of you will fail to form the right and accurate assessment? and many are biased and judgemental...and of course some are influenced by their likes and dislikes...so just enjoy the forum and don't indulge in something you don't really know...and above all, don't assume a superiority complex and tower over others with your intellectual stewpidity....
The impact of CMC on society is still evolving and our understanding of its social, psychological,
political, and economic implications is far from complete. It is useful to keep in mind that although
the impact of this technology is dramatic, it is not unprecedented and there may be some lessons to
be gleaned from the past.....
