| Chapter 2: | Chatrooms and Small Group Learning |
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In Chapter 3, I will build on this theory and show how a new approach to explaining these behaviors can provide useful design suggestions in the development of new online environments.
2.2.2.1 Self-Awareness
Much of the research on inhibition in small group environments has focused on self-awareness. In the original formulation, Duval and Wicklund (1972) posited that there are two dimensions to self-awareness. The awareness of how others perceive and judge an individual is called public self-awareness, while the awareness of one’s own goals and motivations is termed private self-awareness. 2 This concept has been especially important in describing changes in inhibition that appear to be caused by the conversational medium itself (e.g., Kiesler, Siegel, & McGuire, 1984; Matheson & Zanna, 1988; Hudson & Bruckman, 2004).
Because they are orthogonal concepts, private and public self-awareness can impact inhibition independently. According to the theory (Duval & Wicklund, 1972), when public self-awareness decreases, individuals become less concerned about the judgments of others, and will behave in less inhibited ways. Private self-awareness, however, works in the opposite way. When private self-awareness increases, individuals become focused more exclusively on their own goals and motivations. Therefore, decreased public self-awareness and increased private self-awareness both lead to greater disinhibition.
Based on this theory, Kiesler, Siegel, and McGuire (1984) suggested that changes in self-awareness might explain the propensity toward more equitable interaction in online environments.