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What do social and personality psychologists have to say about attribution in the context of online communication?

Cicely Newiss

Social and personality psychologists have conducted extensive research on attribution in the context of online communication. Attribution refers to the process we undertake to determine the causes behind another person's behavior. It enables us to make judgments about someone, including their intentions, personality traits, and emotions. Attribution also plays a vital role in the way we interact with others in online communication.

According to social and personality psychologists, attribution in online communication is complex due to the lack of nonverbal cues that we rely on in face-to-face interactions. Nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice provide us with instant feedback about a person's behavior, allowing us to make quick and accurate judgments about their intentions and emotions. In the absence of these cues, we tend to rely on other factors such as the context of the message and our preconceptions about the person to make attributions.

Furthermore, online communication provides a unique space for individuals to control the information they share about themselves. As a result, users of social media platforms can manipulate the impression they give to others, thus distorting the accuracy of attribution. Persons can present themselves differently on social media than they do in real life, altering how others perceive them.

Social psychologists have also identified the phenomenon of "para-social interaction" in online communication. This term refers to the creation of virtual relationships between users of social media platforms. In these relationships, one user perceives a person as their "friend," but the person does not reciprocate the sentiment. As a result, the former user attributes more positive qualities to the other person than may be warranted, leading to a positive bias in attribution.

In contrast, users of social media platforms are also prone to the phenomenon of "negativity bias" in attribution. This occurs when users attribute negative intentions or emotions to another person's message, even when the message was not intended to convey such negativity.

One of the most significant challenges in attribution in online communication is the excessive use of text-based communication methods such as messaging and emailing. These modes of communication are prone to misinterpretation since much of the meaning of spoken language is conveyed through nonverbal cues.

Therefore, social and personality psychologists suggest that social media platforms must provide alternative ways for users to communicate using nonverbal cues. They also recommend that social media users practice mindfulness and be aware of their biases when interpreting messages, which can prevent negativity bias and improve attribution accuracy.

In conclusion, social and personality psychologists have conducted extensive research on attribution in online communication and have identified various factors that impact the accuracy and bias of attributions made through social media platforms. Awareness of these factors can help users better navigate virtual interactions and reduce the potential for misunderstandings or conflict.