Research Article
Attitude change in face-to-face and computer-mediated communication: private self-awareness as mediator and moderator
Kai Sassenberg,
Margarete Boos, Sven Rabung,
Corresponding Author
Kai Sassenberg
Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Germany
Department of Social Psychology, University of Jena, Jenergasse 8, D-07743 Jena, Germany.Search for more papers by this authorKai Sassenberg,
Margarete Boos, Sven Rabung,
Corresponding Author
Kai Sassenberg
Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Germany
Department of Social Psychology, University of Jena, Jenergasse 8, D-07743 Jena, Germany.Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Two types of social influence can be distinguished: norm-based influence occurs when social identity is salient and interpersonal influence occurs when personal identity is salient. In two experiments the impact of trait and state private self-awareness on interpersonal influence during face-to-face and computer-mediated communication (CMC) was investigated. It is argued that interpersonal influence resulting from face-to-face communication is stronger than interpersonal influence resulting from CMC because CMC heightens state private self-awareness. As a result, it leads to a focus on personal perceptions and thoughts which in turn reduces attitude change. Experiment 1 suggests that communication media may influence attitude change via private self-awareness. Experiment 2 showed that trait private self-awareness moderates the effect of communication media on interpersonal influence. Interpersonal influence was stronger in face-to-face communication than in CMC only for individuals higher in private self-awareness. This finding indicates that the impact of situational variations of a concept can be limited to individuals who have a more elevated sense of private self-awareness. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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