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Communication Research
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Validation and Application of Electronic Propinquity Theory to Computer-Mediated Communication in Groups

Joseph B. Walther

Michigan State University

Natalya N. Bazarova

Cornell University

This research presents an experiment based on the theory of electronic propinquity, testing how the presence of alternate communication media, media bandwidth, information complexity, and users' communication skills affect propinquity (the psychological feeling of nearness) and satisfaction that communicators experience using different communication channels. Groups communicated using one or two of several different channels, including face-to-face, desktop video, audio, and text-based chat, with channel differences between members in some groups. Predicted effects of bandwidth, information complexity, communication skills, and comparative media availability on propinquity and satisfaction were observed. These findings demonstrate a confound in previous research on propinquity theory, suggest newfound validity, and extend the model to interactive computer-mediated communication channels unanticipated by the original theory. Implications include the potential of electronic propinquity to account for discrepancies in the research on computer-mediated communication that have been generated by other theories.

Key Words: computer-mediated communication • interactive communication technology • electronic propinquity • group communication • teleconferencing

This version was published on October 1, 2008

Communication Research, Vol. 35, No. 5, 622-645 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0093650208321783
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