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Original document was submitted as an honors thesis requirement. Copyright is held by the author.

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Previous research has found that there is variability in the effectiveness of different types of digitally facilitated communication, but no research has been conducted on whether the mode of communication being used impacts the desire to engage in subsequent conversations with a particular individual. This study examined whether the mode of initial communication would have an impact upon the desire to engage in subsequent conversations. In a sample of 33 participants ages 18-22, I sought to examine how phone conversations and texting differ as methods of initial communication in regard to their impact on participants’ expressed desire for continued communication. In order to examine this relationship, I conducted an experiment in which I randomly assigned subjects to either call or text a confederate. After the experiment, participants completed a survey in order to measure their desire to engage in further communication with the confederate. An independent samples t-test was conducted to compare participants’ desire for subsequent communication in phone calling and texting conditions. Our hypothesis was that there would be a significant difference in the desire to engage in further communication as a direct result of the mode of communication being used. There was no significant difference found between the calling and texting groups, suggesting that in regard to fostering a rapport after an initial meeting, there is no difference between calling and texting.

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