2 Literature Review
2.1 Previous study
In terms of the rising and prevalent use of the Internet (Seongcheol, 1998; The UCLA World Internet Project, 2000, 2001, 2003), Internet-based IM has also become increasingly popular (AOL Third Annual Instant Messaging Survey, 2005; Nielsen//NetRatings, 2002; Pew Internet & American Life, 2004; The Digital Future Report, 2004). The issue of IM has come under growing discussion in recent time. Nardi, Whittaker & Bradner (2000) report that the speed of IM has satisfied the achievement of some social tasks such as answering or asking quick questions, arranging meetings, contacting friends, etc. Eller (2005) observes that even though professional located conversations are not as literary as expected, IM conversations in professional setting is still more formal. This might imply that although IM conversations are preceded in a virtual space, user’s physical location is worthy of further thinking and exploring. Jacobs (2005:11) notes that there are four motivates for adolescent use of IM: “maintaining contact, social planning, providing or obtaining emotional support or advice, and providing or obtaining homework support”. Furthermore, Jacobs (2005) also points out that the extent of user’s involvement in IM change because of a shift of social roles rather than identities, which Jacobs has drawn on Goffman’s (1981) concept of “role distance” for a better understanding of her observation. Debrand (2004) illustrates that gender differences have an unremarkable influence on use and frequency of use of electronic mail or IM. This has encouraged this present research to include an equal measurement of male and female participants. Some research focus on the structure of language notes that IM conversations intend to be lighter and thus are different from in-depth conversation (Eller, 2005; Koundouraki, 2006).
Current studies on the uses and gratifications of media have focused on the potential motivates of using the Internet. Flaherty, Pearce & Rubin (1998) note that the primary needs for individuals to use computer can be categorized into “interpersonal needs”, “traditional needs associated with media” and “new media needs”. Papacharissi & Rubin (2000) have found that interpersonal and informational benefits result in the usage of the Internet. Short, Williams & Christie (1976:65) define “social presence” as “degree of salience of the other person in a mediated communication and the consequent salience of their interpersonal interactions…”. Under this concept, intimacy (Argyle & Dean, 1965) and immediacy (Weiner & Mehrabian, 1968) are drawn on to explain interpersonal interaction through media from which the degree of social presence varies (1976:72). Owing to the lack of social cues conveyed, less social presence is reported when using through CMC channels such as IM, electronic mail or chat rooms (Papacharissi & Rubin, 2000; Rice and Love, 1987; Rettie, 2003; Castells, 2004:222; Hwang, 2005). On the basis of the discussion by Short, et al. (1976), Rettie (2003) notes that “social presence relates to the perception of the other participant while connectedness is an emotional experience.” Thus, being aware of online others is connectedness although there is no conversation exchanged. Likewise, Nardi, Whittaker & Bradner (2000) observe that quiescent IM users use the medium to maintain a connection with others by viewing and checking the presence of other users.
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