Regulating privacy in interpersonal online communication: The role of self-disclosure

Thon F M, Jucks R

Research article (journal) | Peer reviewed

Abstract

Establishing privacy is a key demand in interpersonal online communication. Do people regulate their privacy through self-disclosure regarding specific interlocutors and privacy contexts? One hundred and fifty-seven participants answered an inquiry in a 2 (communication situation: public vs. private)×2 (interlocutor's self-disclosure: high vs. low)×2 (inquiry length: short vs. long) between-participants design. Results showed that participants were aware of the degree of privacy in the context and sensitive to the interlocutor's self-disclosure. However, they did not adapt their communication behavior to this awareness. We conclude that awareness of privacy is necessary, but insufficient for regulating privacy.

Details about the publication

Journal: Studies in Communication Sciences

Volume: 14

Issue: 1

Page range: 3-11

Status: Published

Release year: 2014 (06/04/2014)

Language in which the publication is written: English

DOI: 10.1016/j.scoms.2014.03.012

Link to the full text: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1424489614000137

Keywords: Social interaction; Online communication; Privacy; Self-disclosure

Authors from the University of Münster

Jucks, Regina	Professorship for Social Psychology in Teaching and Education (Prof. Jucks)
Thon, Franziska	Research Training Group 1712 "Trust and Communication in a Digitized World" (GRK 1712)

Projects the publication originates from

RTG 1712: Trust and Communication in a Digitized World (GRK 1712)

Duration: 01/04/2012 - 31/03/2021 | 2nd Funding period

Funded by: DFG - Research Training Group

Type of project: Main DFG-project hosted at University of Münster

Promotionen, aus denen die Publikation resultiert

Establishing Trust in Online Health Communication: The Role of Privacy, Expertise, and Social Validation in Online Forums
Candidate: Thon, Franziska M. | Supervisors: Jucks, Regina
Period of time: 02/04/2012 - 15/12/2015
Doctoral examination procedure finished at: Doctoral examination procedure at University of Münster