Psychological underpinnings of intrafamilial computer-mediated communication: a preliminary exploration of CMC uptake with parents and siblings

This preliminary study investigates the uptake of computer-mediated communication (CMC) with parents and siblings, an area on which no research appears to have been conducted. Given the lack of relevant literature, grounded theory methodology was used and online focus group discussions were conducted in an attempt to generate suitable hypotheses for further empirical studies. Codification of the discussion data revealed various categories of meaning, namely: a perceived inappropriateness of CMC with members of family of origin; issues relating to the family generational gap; the nature of the offline sibling/parent relationship; the non-viability of online affordances such as planned self-disclosure, deception, identity construction; and disinhibition in interactions with family-of-origin members. These themes could be molded into hypotheses to assess the psychosocial limitations of CMC and to determine if it can indeed become a ubiquitous alternative to traditional communication modes as some scholars have claimed.     

Online purchases in an Infocomm sophisticated society.

This paper presents a preliminary investigation of attitude and intention in relation to online shopping in Singapore. Singaporeans display high levels of Infocomm proficiency, the result of many intense government initiatives to transform the country into an Intelligent Community. Does this Internet embracing environment enhance attitude and intention to online shopping? This study considers the links between personal consequences, subjective norms, behavioral control, and personal innovativeness with attitude and intention among Singaporeans. It uses a model based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and makes some initial comparisons of its findings with those of existing studies. The effects of behavioral control and intention on actual purchase behavior are not investigated. Findings permit the tentative proposition that level of Infocomm knowledge impacts on attitude and intention.     

Personality and online/offline choices: MBTI profiles and favored communication modes in a Singapore study.

This study presents an initial investigation of the degree to which personality, as classified by the four dimensions of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) affects an individual's choice of online or offline means for conducting social interactions. Results yield some evidence that personality affects choice of online or offline options, with an especially significant correlation between online/offline choices and the dimension of Extraversion and Introversion. Significant results are also seen for the Judging-Perception and Thinking-Feeling dimensions, but the Sensing-iNtuition dimension showed no correlation.