Abstract
This study looks at the behavior of self-selected users of an electronic bulletin board system (BBS). Its goal is to investigate the reported lack of social context cues in computer mediated communication contexts. Using participant observation methods, the study demonstrates how BBS users establish online identities. The study also identifies communication “leaders” who maintain their identities and leadership roles through manipulation of the BBS social context. These findings appear to contradict perspectives that characterize computer-mediated communications as “deindividuated” (Kiesler et al, 1984).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Besston, T. and T. Tucker 1984 Hooking In: The Underground Computer Bulletin Board Workbook and Guide. Westlake Village, CA: ComputerFood Press.
Emmet, R. 1981 VNET or GRIPENET? Datamation (Nov.):48–58.
Feldman, M. and J. March 1981 Information in organizations as signal and symbol. Administrative Science Quarterly 26:171–186.
Fine, G.A. 1981 Fantasy games and social worlds. Simulation & Games 12:251–279.
Hiltz, S.R. and M. Turoff 1978 The Network Nation: Human Communication via Computer. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Kerr, E.B. and S.R. Hiltz 1982 Computer Mediated Communication Systems: Status and Evaluation. New York: Academic.
Kiesler, S., J. Siegel, and T.W. McGuire 1984 Social psychological aspects of computer mediated communication. American Psychologist 39:1123–1134.
Kling, R. 1980 Social analyses of computing: Theoretical perspectives in recent empirical research. Computing Surveys 12:61–110.
Kling, R. and E. Gerson 1978 Patterns of segmentation and intersection in the computing world. Symbolic Interaction 1:24–43.
Marvin, C. 1983 Telecommunications policy and the pleasure principle. Telecommunications Policy 7:43–52.
Marvin, C. and Q. Schultze 1977 The first thirty years: CB in perspective. Journal of Communication 27:104–117.
Miller, G.R. 1978 The current status of theory and research in interpersonal communication. Human Communication Research 4:164–178.
Myers, D. 1985 A new environment for communication play: Online play. Paper presented at The Association for the Anthropological Study of Play, Annual Conference. February.
Pool, I. De Sola 1983 Technologies of Freedom. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press.
Rice, R.E. 1984 The New Media. Beverly Hills: Sage.
Short, J., E. William, and B. Christie 1976 The Social Psychology of Telecommunications. London: Wiley.
Strauss, A.L. 1959 Mirrors and Masks. Glencoe, IL: The Free Press.
Turkle, S. 1984 The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Uhlig, R.P. 1977 Human Factors in Computer Message Systems. Datamation (June): 120–126.
Vallee, J. 1982 The Network Revolution. Berkeley, CA: And/Or Press, Inc.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Myers, D. “Anonymity is part of the magic”: Individual manipulation of computer-mediated communication contexts. Qual Sociol 10, 251–266 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988989
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988989