Mechanomorphism in perception of computer communication partners

Computer bulletin board users' perceptions of communication partners with whom they communicated via the computer were compared to their perceptions of the computer itself to support mechanomorphism and implications for implementation of computer communication networks are discussed.

Abstract

Computer bulletin board users' perceptions of communication partners with whom they communicated via the computer were compared to their perceptions of the computer itself. In the absence of personal information about the sender, it was proposed that perceptions of computer communication partners would be similar to perceptions of the computer. This process wherein perceptions of communication partners become computer-like is termed mechanomorphism. It was hypothesized that mechanomorphism would operate to encourage computer-like perceptions under two conditions: (a) when little personal information was exchanged in bulletin board messages, and (b) when small amounts of communication took place between computer communication partners. A computer bulletin board with a computerized questionnaire program was used to collect data. The results support the first hypothesis but not the second. Implications of these findings for implementation of computer communication networks are discussed.