Joseph B. Walther's dissertation, "Relational Communication in Computer-Mediated Interaction," explores how computer-mediated communication (CMC) affects relational communication, impression formation, and message personalization in groups. The study challenges the assumption that CMC is inherently depersonalizing due to the absence of nonverbal cues. Walther argues that while CMC may initially appear impersonal, relational communication can develop over time, leading to levels of intimacy and personalization comparable to face-to-face (FtF) interactions. The research involved 96 participants assigned to either CMC or FtF groups, who completed three tasks over several weeks. Results showed that CMC groups developed in several relational dimensions to more positive levels, approximating those of FtF groups. The study highlights the importance of considering temporal and developmental factors in CMC research, as well as the role of message frequency and interaction over time in shaping relational communication. Walther critiques the "cues-filtered-out" perspective, which suggests that CMC is inherently depersonalizing due to the absence of nonverbal cues. He argues that these effects may be bounded to initial interactions among previously unacquainted participants, and that relational communication can develop over time in CMC. The study also examines the role of verbal and textual cues in conveying relational meanings, and how message personalization and relational communication can evolve in both CMC and FtF settings. The research suggests that while CMC may initially appear impersonal, relational communication can develop over time, leading to levels of intimacy and personalization comparable to FtF interactions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering temporal and developmental factors in CMC research, as well as the role of message frequency and interaction over time in shaping relational communication. The findings challenge the assumption that CMC is inherently depersonalizing and suggest that relational communication can develop in both CMC and FtF settings.Joseph B. Walther's dissertation, "Relational Communication in Computer-Mediated Interaction," explores how computer-mediated communication (CMC) affects relational communication, impression formation, and message personalization in groups. The study challenges the assumption that CMC is inherently depersonalizing due to the absence of nonverbal cues. Walther argues that while CMC may initially appear impersonal, relational communication can develop over time, leading to levels of intimacy and personalization comparable to face-to-face (FtF) interactions. The research involved 96 participants assigned to either CMC or FtF groups, who completed three tasks over several weeks. Results showed that CMC groups developed in several relational dimensions to more positive levels, approximating those of FtF groups. The study highlights the importance of considering temporal and developmental factors in CMC research, as well as the role of message frequency and interaction over time in shaping relational communication. Walther critiques the "cues-filtered-out" perspective, which suggests that CMC is inherently depersonalizing due to the absence of nonverbal cues. He argues that these effects may be bounded to initial interactions among previously unacquainted participants, and that relational communication can develop over time in CMC. The study also examines the role of verbal and textual cues in conveying relational meanings, and how message personalization and relational communication can evolve in both CMC and FtF settings. The research suggests that while CMC may initially appear impersonal, relational communication can develop over time, leading to levels of intimacy and personalization comparable to FtF interactions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering temporal and developmental factors in CMC research, as well as the role of message frequency and interaction over time in shaping relational communication. The findings challenge the assumption that CMC is inherently depersonalizing and suggest that relational communication can develop in both CMC and FtF settings.