The effects of computer mediated communication on an individual's judgment: A study based on the methods of Asch's social influence experiment

The results of the study indicate that computer mediated communication is likely to diminish the effects of social pressures to conform to majority judgments.

Abstract

Because of the importance placed on social influence in the group process, this study investigates how the exclusion of the contextual cues provided by face-to-face interaction influences individual judgments in computer mediated contexts. The study employs a computerized revision of the classic procedures of Asch's "majority against a minority of one" investigation. The results of the study indicate that computer mediated communication is likely to diminish the effects of social pressures to conform to majority judgments.