Utilizing digitally mediated interaction has a few distinct advantages over “real world”, face to face communication. One of the bigger advantages, the subject of the hyperpersonal model, is the ability to manage one’s presentation to another. The ability exists to control representation of oneself and dictate the terms on which communication occurs. Basically, you can utilize the power of logging, searching, asynchronous communication and of course facets of anonymity to make your presentation more optimized, but more meaningful and useful as well.

While the lack of body language and emotional, non-verbal cues is limited in computer mediated communication, many pros exist such as the availability of conversations to be reviewed at a later time, the ability to selectively show and hide certain attributes and the time delay present in most CMC which allow refining of messages. This allows individuals to refine their messages and self-censor. Idealization is much higher, as the negative cues in communication can be more readily ignored, while positive cues can be magnified and enhanced by both the sender and receiver.

In addition to the relaxed modes of communication and expectations on responses, feedback is much greater in successful CMC, as available cues for sender and receiver are limited. Since we’re constantly basing our behavior and expectations on the feedback that we get from those who we are communicating with, the lack of those cues makes that behavior feedback loop much stronger and more positive. This can explain a greater satisfaction with digital interaction than face to face interaction, or a much faster meltdown if communication goes poorly.

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