Assignment #2: Online Impression Formation

The online space I explored for this analysis is a synchronous chatroom on Meebo.com, an in-browser instant messaging program which supports multiple IM services including Yahoo Messenger, AIM, Windows Live Messenger, ICQ and even Googletalk (en.Wikipedia.org). I entered this "experiment" with some reluctance because as I had revealed in my last entry, I've had some questionable experiences with chatrooms as a teenager. However, the chatroom identified as "20 and over" was small with no more than 8 people, and I assumed it would stay this way so I would keep my interactions within the chatroom (i.e. I would not instigate private conversation by "whispering" to the other participants).

I began my participation in the chatroom by using the name collegegirl, which provided a generic, but specific-enough cue about myself for other users of the chat. I was not surprised to see that the majority of users did not include a "real" name in their username. mrpenguin, unchangingwoman, dunebug, and the most popular, variations of guest_ _ _ _ (4 random numbers) are some examples of usernames I remembered. When I entered the chatroom, the conversation that was taking place allowed me to assume that some of them had been talking for a while, or at least talked to each other before. Mrpenguin responded with evident happiness when one user came into the room: "Yay, my little baby is back! Let me give you a :hug:" They acknowledged by presence in the room when I said hello; it was interesting to notice that they did not just continue on with their conversations when I entered, but it was really as if I entered a physical room and they acknowledged me because they just could not deny my presence. I asked them simple questions, how old they were, where they were from, what they were doing at the time. The majority responded with some interest; one user asked me where I was from and I responded "I'm from the east coast," and another user replied "YEA, EAST COAST!"

I assumed too quickly when I thought I wouldn't have to "whisper" to anyone or instigate private chat, because soon enough I was receiving whispers left and right. The infamous "a/s/l" question came up ALL the time in one form or another. I wasn't given substantial cues from many of the users; their usernames were either guest_ _ _ _ or the conversation died after I gave very limited, short responses to their questions. There was one very interesting and even a little concerning user I spoke to during this session, whose conversation I will elaborate on for this analysis.

His username was mk66 and he was one of the first to "whisper" to me. He introduced himself as Matt, so I assumed his status as a male. He came across as a warm, responsive person, answering my questions with interest and adding emoticons (mostly :) ). I was content to have found a person in the chatroom who was not really concerned with my stats (by asking questions like "how do you look" or "what are you wearing"), so I reciprocated with similar warm responses. However, I came to realize as I continued to talk to him that he was actually giving me a lot MORE information that I had asked for. One example I overlooked in the beginning of the conversation was when we were talking about sports. He shared that he enjoys bowling, and that he was a good bowler, too. I am also an avid bowler and I responded by telling him I enjoy bowling and volleyball tremendously. He then responds "my kind of girl. :)/i'm 6 4/160 lbs/my friend asked me to be his teammate." I clearly did not ask for his personal information, but he was compelled to tell me more than he needed. He then acted out of character (i.e. the character I assumed him to have based on very few and now realized as unreliable cues) and gave me his myspace address to check out a picture of him. I was a little bothered, but that was only the start of many disconcerting cues that made me form an extremely negative impression of him. He then began to share his VERY negative experiences of his past, that he lived with drug dealers, and got shot, and was bullied by other guys. He shared that he continues to be made fun of by guys, which is why he enjoys talking to girls (“they are more sensitive”). His decision to share this with me allowed me to assume that he wanted me to know that he enjoys talking to me. The biggest negative indication was one statement: “My friend called me right before I was going to hang myself/she literally saved me.” It took me a long time to respond to something that I consider something too serious and private to share with someone you’ve never met. Conversation slowed down exponentially, and he left a little while after, although he expressed his desire to speak to me again.

The development of my impression fit the Hyperpersonal theory, which caters to the extremes of positive and negative impressions. Over attribution processes and selective self-presentation played a major role in the development of my impression of Matt. I over attributed his interest in sports to an agreeable, likeable personality and responded with even more interest, which indicated to him that he could open up to me. His selective self-presentation allowed me to feel safe talking with him, but I realized at the end of the conversation that I had opened up too early to him based on his cues. I also over attributed his consciousness to other guys’ inappropriate behaviors online to a considerate person, and then was shocked to find out that he chose to share with me such personal information with me that made me feel very uncomfortable.

The hyperpersonal theory manifested itself in a very extreme manner in this encounter. I am still a little shocked that my experience was so extreme, but I assure you I DID NOT make this up. I don't think I'd want to make up such a thing. My only question is, will I ever come across this guy again, and what should I do if I do?