This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Peña, J. Articles by Hancock, J. T. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Effects of Geographic Distribution on Dominance Perceptions in Computer-Mediated Groups

University of Texas at Austin, jorge.pena{at}mail.utexas.edu

Joseph B. Walther

Michigan State University, East Lansing

Jeffrey T. Hancock

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

This study examined how the geographic distribution of group members affected dominance perceptions in a field experiment involving 65 computer-mediated groups communicating over a 2-week period. Dominance perceptions were more extreme when group members did not share a geographic location (distributed groups) than when they did (collocated groups). Collocated groups showed greater convergence between self and partner dominance perceptions than distributed groups, suggesting more symmetrical perceptions. More symmetrical groups exhibited more attraction and cohesion than less symmetrical groups. These results lend some support to recent models of computer-mediated communication that take into consideration the social psychological processes involved in distributed work and run counter to studies suggesting status equalization in mediated group collaboration.

Key Words: computer-mediated communication • dominance • virtual groups • distributed work • impression formation • social information processing • hyperpersonal model • symmetry

Communication Research, Vol. 34, No. 3, 313-331 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0093650207300431


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Whitford and S. A. Moss Transformational Leadership in Distributed Work Groups: The Moderating Role of Follower Regulatory Focus and Goal Orientation Communication Research, December 1, 2009; 36(6): 810 - 837. [Abstract] [PDF]