User:Jaconsigli/sandbox2

Media Multiplexity Theory

Media Multiplexity Theory is a theory originally developed by Dr. Caroline Haythornthwaite in her article Strong, Weak, and Latent Ties and the Impact of New Media published in the Information Society journal, 2002 18th edition. The theory revolves around the idea that online media provides people with a medium to connect and network with people whom they would not have otherwise communicated with. The theory also talks about how people who have already connected through real-world means have more opportunity to influence each other through new online media. While people who may have not connected in real-life or have minimal ties are given the opportunity to strengthen and build upon their relationships.

The Media Multiplexity Theory also examines how self-disclosure and online image can shape interactions between online users and, dictate the level of communication and influence users share. Findings have shown that these interactions do transcend online media and have shown positive correlation with relationship interdependence. These studies have shown that there are ties between modern relationship strength and multimodality, in other words, it has shown that communication partners who engage with each other regularly through different available forms of media have shown to have stronger ties and higher levels of interdependence.

Media usage factors

According to Andrew M. Ledbetter formerly of Ohio University, there are four distinguishable factors of media usage that contribute to interdependence in interpersonal relationships, these factors are as follows: asynchronous public communication, asynchronous private communication, social networking communication and synchronous offline communication.

Asynchronous public communication

“Asynchronous communication” is a form of communication where communicators generally do not send and receive messages concurrently. The “public” variant of this communication form implies that any user of this media outlet is able to exchange information at any time. Examples of this would be online discussion boards, or blogs like Reddit.

Asynchronous private communication

“Asynchronous communication” is a form of communication where communicators generally do not send and receive messages concurrently. The “private” variant of asynchronous communication is where users of the media outlet communicate non concurrently privately. Examples of this could be email or bulletin board systems. Postal mail would be an example of offline asynchronous private communication.

Social networking communication

Communication through social networking is one of the most prominent forms of media communication. This communication takes place through social media networks where users can freely create, share, and exchange information with other users. The networking aspect allows users to connect and communicate with other users through a number of devices including— but not limited to— mutual friends or followers, trending news, hashtags, or mutual interests.

Social networking communication ties together online and offline relationships, allowing users to stay connected with their real world connections and publicly endorse people and/or ideas to a wider horizon of people through an open medium.

Synchronous offline communication

In contrast to asynchronous communication which takes place online without time standards, synchronous communication falls in line with face to face communication. It follows a standard communication sequence where each communicator simultaneously exchanges information intermittently in person. This is not limited to face to face communication, telephone calls fall under this category as well.

It should be noted, however, that synchronous communication is not constrained to offline communication. Synchronous online communication exists in the form of chat rooms, instant messaging, and video chatting. Examples of this could be Skype or Omegle.

Media Niche Theory in interpersonal relationships

According to Ledbetter’s findings, three of the four media usage factors translate to higher relationship interdependence. The factor left out, asynchronous private communication was the only factor which was not found to foster relational interdependence, this can be explained by the fact that this media form corresponds more with professional and educational relationships.

Multimodality and relational interdependence are positively correlated through the gratification that each medium of media offers communicators. With communication gratification being granted from different media factors through several mediums, relational interdependence is shown to increase through communication spread out over several mediums.

According to John Dimmick’s Media Niche Theory, different forms of media and their respective mediums fulfill different gratifications for users. These forms of media can either compliment or compete with each other. These gratifications can be categorized into two categories, oral or written, these categories each have several respective sub-categories as well. Certain mediums can perform as multiple media factors simultaneously due to having a versatile set of functions which fulfill different gratifications. Different mediums can either be complimentary or competitive, for them to be complimentary each should fulfill different gratifications. These communication mediums may compete with each other if they are classified as the same type of media factor and are functioning to fulfill the same gratifications.

An example of two complimentary mediums: Instagram (social networking) and Snapchat (asynchronous private). Commenting on a friend’s Instagram post gratifies written communication and public communication, while snap chatting a video to that same friend will gratify oral and private communication.

An example of two competing mediums: Facebook (social networking) and Twitter (social networking). Tagging a friend in a facebook post or mentioning them in a tweet will each fulfill written and public communication gratifications.

Both complimentary and competitive mediums contribute to a raise in relational interdependence. While each show positive correlation, complimentary mediums together have a stronger effect on relationship ties than those competing as they work in unison to fulfill separate gratifications for users. Competitive mediums are interchangeable which allows users who show higher patterns of multimodality to maintain gratification if a specific medium is either failing or shows superiority.

Internet connectivity effects and social networking

The media boom since the turn of the century has allowed for people to connect and build relationships beyond their immediate surroundings. The ability to keep contact and share information and ideas has allowed for influence to carry beyond primary connections. As more media becomes available it makes it possible for an individual's network to expand, strengthening weaker ties or creating new ones.

Different mediums can be focused on the development and continuation of present relationships and others can be geared toward creating new relationships and expanding influence to a wider circle. Most social networks function as both simultaneously, Facebook and Twitter are two that highlight the dual functionality of social media. Social networking site such as LinkedIn and apps like Tinder are focused on expanding one's network and forging new ties. Popular apps including Snapchat and Instagram have become popular mediums for maintaining and strengthening relationship ties in recent years.

Dr. Haythornthwaite noted that as media trends change or mediums are altered it can affect relationships which have been built and maintained primarily through these different mediums. For relationships with weaker ties that don't communicate with high multimodality, a change in mediums can negatively impact communication consistency and lead to severed ties. Alternatively, the development of new mediums can lead to a rise in multimodality which can create and strengthen ties.