In today’s time our world revolves around technology. As a human race we have become totally infatuated and reliable to technology. Some may say they are addicted. I for one can say I definitely have attachment issues with my phone. I have discovered that I quickly get anxiety when I do not have my phone right near me. In a study conducted in the UK, many participants said they felt emotional about the information that was saved and delivered on their mobile devices (Vincent 2006). Research has shown time and time again that texting is primarily to converse, advance, and maintain interpersonal relationships (Pettigrew 2007).
As technology has become more and more prominent in our lives has it changed the way we communicate with one another? For example, in a study conducted with multiple interviews, many have described how texting has been effective when mobile voice conversation is inappropriate, like in a movie theater for example (Pettigrew 2007). “Statistics from the Pew Internet & American Life Project show that, these days, many people with cell phones prefer texting over a phone call” (NY Daily News 2012, 1). Does technology affect our relationships with others? Has it become a substitute to physical interpersonal relationships? Would it be reasonable to say technology is a contributing factor to this so called “lost art of face-to-face communication?” In this blog post I want to dive into a deeper investigation of technology’s effect on how we communicate today and determine what kind of impact it has on our emotional relationships?
Alex Lickerman M.D. says a problem arises when “we find ourselves subtly substituting electronic relationships for physical ones or mistaking our electronic relationships for physical ones” (Lickerman 2010, 2). Since technology has become such a large part of our everyday lives, tuning it out can be challenging. It is almost inevitable that technology is going to impact how we communicate because it has made communication more efficient. That being said Lickerman states that although technology has made for quick and efficient communication, the emotional ties are not added. He gives the example of writing “LOL” in a text when describing laughter as an illegitimate substitute compared to actually hearing a person laugh. (Lickerman 2010) It does not make the same impact.
Also, Lickerman brings up a good point; in today’s time many people tend to communicate confrontation over text because it is emotionally easier (Lickerman 2010). Back in the day when texting and phones were not yet invented, if you had an issue with someone you sorted it out face-to-face. Today, technology allows us to hide from behind the device. Lickerman states that “because electronic media transmit emotion so poorly compared to in-person interaction, many view it as a perfect way to send difficult messages: it blocks us from registering the negative emotional responses such as messages engender […] Unfortunately, this also usually means we [do not] transmit these messages with as much empathy" (Lickerman 2010, 2).
To avoid technology from interfering with our emotional interpersonal relationships, Dr. Lickerman made a list of four things he believes will help alleviate any issues that may arise when communicating electronically with someone over text (Lickerman 2010).
1. Do not say anything on email you would feel uncomfortable saying to someone in person.
2. Do not delay your response to messages you would rather avoid.
3. Relationships are affected by online communication.
4. Balance time on the Internet with time spent with friends and family.
As technology has become more and more prominent in our lives has it changed the way we communicate with one another? For example, in a study conducted with multiple interviews, many have described how texting has been effective when mobile voice conversation is inappropriate, like in a movie theater for example (Pettigrew 2007). “Statistics from the Pew Internet & American Life Project show that, these days, many people with cell phones prefer texting over a phone call” (NY Daily News 2012, 1). Does technology affect our relationships with others? Has it become a substitute to physical interpersonal relationships? Would it be reasonable to say technology is a contributing factor to this so called “lost art of face-to-face communication?” In this blog post I want to dive into a deeper investigation of technology’s effect on how we communicate today and determine what kind of impact it has on our emotional relationships?
Alex Lickerman M.D. says a problem arises when “we find ourselves subtly substituting electronic relationships for physical ones or mistaking our electronic relationships for physical ones” (Lickerman 2010, 2). Since technology has become such a large part of our everyday lives, tuning it out can be challenging. It is almost inevitable that technology is going to impact how we communicate because it has made communication more efficient. That being said Lickerman states that although technology has made for quick and efficient communication, the emotional ties are not added. He gives the example of writing “LOL” in a text when describing laughter as an illegitimate substitute compared to actually hearing a person laugh. (Lickerman 2010) It does not make the same impact.
Also, Lickerman brings up a good point; in today’s time many people tend to communicate confrontation over text because it is emotionally easier (Lickerman 2010). Back in the day when texting and phones were not yet invented, if you had an issue with someone you sorted it out face-to-face. Today, technology allows us to hide from behind the device. Lickerman states that “because electronic media transmit emotion so poorly compared to in-person interaction, many view it as a perfect way to send difficult messages: it blocks us from registering the negative emotional responses such as messages engender […] Unfortunately, this also usually means we [do not] transmit these messages with as much empathy" (Lickerman 2010, 2).
To avoid technology from interfering with our emotional interpersonal relationships, Dr. Lickerman made a list of four things he believes will help alleviate any issues that may arise when communicating electronically with someone over text (Lickerman 2010).
1. Do not say anything on email you would feel uncomfortable saying to someone in person.
2. Do not delay your response to messages you would rather avoid.
3. Relationships are affected by online communication.
4. Balance time on the Internet with time spent with friends and family.
In a recent study done by psychologists, two sets of 11 to 12-year olds from a Southern California public school attended a week long camp. The students were shown forty-eight images of faces that displayed happy, sad, angry, or scared emotions and were asked to identify their feelings, as well as watched videos of individuals interacting with each other. The psychologists found the “students who went five days without looking at a smartphone, television, or other digital screens did ‘substantially’ better at reading human emotions than those who spent time on their phones” (Zolfagharifard 2014, 3). Lead author Professor Yalda Uhls reiterates that one “[cannot] learn non-verbal emotional cues from a screen in the way you can learn it from face-to-face communication” (Zolfagharifard 2014, 3). Uhls later says, “If [you are] not practicing face-to-face communication, you could be losing important social skills” (Zolfagharifard 2014, 3). Extended periods of screen time have exhibited to have an effect on children’s abilities to identify different emotions when shown to them.
Technology, specifically mobile devices have definitely come along way and have changed immensely throughout the years. The ways in which we communicate with others has also evolved throughout the years. Our mobile devices are unique to us and displays who we are as individuals. It holds memories and information that is important to us (Vincent 41). This could be one of the many reasons why many people have attachment issues with their cell phones. Good face-to-face communication “is an art [that is] becoming as valuable as good writing," says Janet Sternberg, a professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University in New York (NY Daily News 2012, 2). It appears that the way we use technology today to communicate with others does have an impact on our emotional relationships. In my opinion, I think technology has changed the way we communicate and is one of the contributing factors to this so called “lost art of face-to-face communication”. Is the human race in jeopardy of losing the ability to effectively communicate face-to-face? I guess only time will tell.
Call to Action:
After reading this blog, you are probably thinking, what do I do with this information? I challenge you to balance the amount of time you spend with technology (cell phones, iPads etc.) and take time to talk face-to-face with people. I think if you are more conscious of the time you spend in front of a digital screen, you can spend the other time by disconnecting and conversing with others face-to-face. I believe if you make more time to do this you will notice a change in your communicating skills, and will be able to better balance the time spent with your technology.
References
Is texting ruining the art of conversation? . (2012, June 4). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/texting-ruining-art-conversation-fear-losing-ability-traditional-face-to-face-conversations-article-1.1089679
Lickerman M.D., A. (2010, June 8). The Effect Of Technology On Relationships. Retrieved February 20, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships
Pettigrew, J. (2007). MOBILE TEXT MESSAGING AND CONNECTEDNESS WITHIN CLOSE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. 1-175. Retrieved from Google Scholar.
Vincent, J. (2006). Emotional attachment and mobile phones. Knowledge, Technology & Policy, 19(1), 39-44. Retrieved March 4, 2015, from Google Scholar.
Zolfagharifard, E. (2014, August 22). Are smartphones making young people emotionally stunted? Communicating through emoticons is causing them to become socially awkward, experts warn. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2732028/Do-smartphones-make-kids-socially-awkward-Less-human-interaction-causing-tweens-emotionally-stunted.html
Images
Alban, S. Are prepaid cell phones the best option for kids? {Online Image) Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/budgeting/prepaid-cell-phones-best-option-for-kids.htm
Garland, I. (2011). Are Video Games & Cell Phones Giving Your Kids Arthritis?! {Online Image} Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://hollywoodlife.com/2011/05/25/video-games-cellphones-arthritis/
How Technology Affects Our Relationships. {Online Image} Retrieved May 10, 2015 from http://www.neverwhatyouthink.com/lifelessons/
McCardle, G. (2011). Cell Phones Don’t Raise Cancer Risk for Kids {Online Image} Retrieved April 21, 2015 from https://skeptoid.com/blog/2011/08/11/cell-phones-dont-raise-cancer-risk-for-kids/
{Untitled image of a flyer} Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://www.photosjoy.com/p/99cQmf
Technology, specifically mobile devices have definitely come along way and have changed immensely throughout the years. The ways in which we communicate with others has also evolved throughout the years. Our mobile devices are unique to us and displays who we are as individuals. It holds memories and information that is important to us (Vincent 41). This could be one of the many reasons why many people have attachment issues with their cell phones. Good face-to-face communication “is an art [that is] becoming as valuable as good writing," says Janet Sternberg, a professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University in New York (NY Daily News 2012, 2). It appears that the way we use technology today to communicate with others does have an impact on our emotional relationships. In my opinion, I think technology has changed the way we communicate and is one of the contributing factors to this so called “lost art of face-to-face communication”. Is the human race in jeopardy of losing the ability to effectively communicate face-to-face? I guess only time will tell.
Call to Action:
After reading this blog, you are probably thinking, what do I do with this information? I challenge you to balance the amount of time you spend with technology (cell phones, iPads etc.) and take time to talk face-to-face with people. I think if you are more conscious of the time you spend in front of a digital screen, you can spend the other time by disconnecting and conversing with others face-to-face. I believe if you make more time to do this you will notice a change in your communicating skills, and will be able to better balance the time spent with your technology.
References
Is texting ruining the art of conversation? . (2012, June 4). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/texting-ruining-art-conversation-fear-losing-ability-traditional-face-to-face-conversations-article-1.1089679
Lickerman M.D., A. (2010, June 8). The Effect Of Technology On Relationships. Retrieved February 20, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships
Pettigrew, J. (2007). MOBILE TEXT MESSAGING AND CONNECTEDNESS WITHIN CLOSE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. 1-175. Retrieved from Google Scholar.
Vincent, J. (2006). Emotional attachment and mobile phones. Knowledge, Technology & Policy, 19(1), 39-44. Retrieved March 4, 2015, from Google Scholar.
Zolfagharifard, E. (2014, August 22). Are smartphones making young people emotionally stunted? Communicating through emoticons is causing them to become socially awkward, experts warn. Retrieved February 19, 2015, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2732028/Do-smartphones-make-kids-socially-awkward-Less-human-interaction-causing-tweens-emotionally-stunted.html
Images
Alban, S. Are prepaid cell phones the best option for kids? {Online Image) Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/budgeting/prepaid-cell-phones-best-option-for-kids.htm
Garland, I. (2011). Are Video Games & Cell Phones Giving Your Kids Arthritis?! {Online Image} Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://hollywoodlife.com/2011/05/25/video-games-cellphones-arthritis/
How Technology Affects Our Relationships. {Online Image} Retrieved May 10, 2015 from http://www.neverwhatyouthink.com/lifelessons/
McCardle, G. (2011). Cell Phones Don’t Raise Cancer Risk for Kids {Online Image} Retrieved April 21, 2015 from https://skeptoid.com/blog/2011/08/11/cell-phones-dont-raise-cancer-risk-for-kids/
{Untitled image of a flyer} Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://www.photosjoy.com/p/99cQmf