Hailey-Brooke Barham
Discovering the functions of INTRA-personal communication and the Internet
The discovery of the functions of intrapersonal communication and the internet lie on the basic understanding of the intra aspect of man. Intrapersonal communication as described by Shedletsky and Aitkin (2004) refers to the meaning-making with oneself. This includes the imagined interactions, self-task, journaling and the insightful self-consultation of oneself. It is the assigning of meaning to stimuli, whether the stimulus is verbal or non-verbal. One could as well say it is the internal communication occurring within an individual. The self-communication plays a big role in the internet communication. Firstly, communication of any idea, message or information begins with oneself (Shedletsky & Aitkin, 2004). The self therefore determines how the message is encoded and the way to present it. It is in this bid that the role and functionality of intrapersonal communication sets foot in determining how the information is communicated over the internet.
Intrapersonal communication is majorly linked to a person’s individual constructions of the different stimuli existing in their environment of interaction (Shedletsky & Aitkin, 2004). One’s behaviour—in terms of what they say or even how they react—defines their identity and self-concept. It is in this level that computer mediation plays a big role in the intrapersonal capacity and communication. The internet particularly has enabled and enhanced the way in which people’s self-identity is manifested. This could be through the way one may react to different situations on a social media platform. For instance, if someone writes a comment on Facebook or Twitter on their political position with regard to how the candidacy for a presidential bid in their country is happening, it will reflect how others feel about the same situation. The comment, unknowingly to the commenter will communicate a message that will influence the way other people view them. It also sets them apart, thus defining their social identity and inclination (Thurlow et al., 2004).The language and writing skills of an individual have also been placed under constant reappraisal (Shedletsky & Aitkin, 2004). People conversing over the internet have devised their own communication conventions. People have invented their own short forms for telling their own secrets, for instance LOL (laughing out loud), emoticons representing clear messages and verbing as used in multidimensional environments (Shedletsky & Aitkin, 2004). Therefore, language which is the exit gate and channel into understanding personalities has really played a big role in understanding oneself and thus illuminating how intra-personalities are shaped by the human-computer interactions.
A person also receives meaning from the stimuli they receive and add meaning to the stimuli they communicate (Shedletsky & Aitkin, 2004). This is the basic level of intrapersonal communication. The process is continuous. What one decides to communicate over the internet for example, a wiki post will convey a lot about them. This is different from when one involves themselves in a direct one on one self-disclosure (Trenholm, 2008). One blogging about fashion trends reveals their idiosyncrasies and point of view of particular products. The response that is elicited by the viewers who read the blogs will generate a clear perception of their intrapersonal inclinations. This in turn defines a certain identity of people. Therefore, whatever is written and shared over the internet is a product of the intrapersonal communications happening within those involved.
The internet has also played a big role in the shaping and reshaping of intrapersonal communication. This could be through the interactions taking place between people and through cultural changes occurring in life today. Computers and internet have led to what scholars refer to as identity play. According to Shedletsky and Aitkin (2004) this would have potentially high threatening risks for individuals who choose to indulge in them in real world rather than in virtual space. The identity play is attributed to the intrapersonal communication. This dictates the instances where one decides what, how and who to play in this level. People decide to portray particular behaviours or qualities over the internet even when in real sense they are not of the personalities portrayed. These qualities may not necessarily be absorbed by the person in question. The quality and nature of the real people when in the offline environment can be totally different (Thurlow et al., 2004). A good example can be said of people who are dating online. During their exchange of pleasantries and interaction, one person who may play identity roles will usually be presented as charming and beautiful. This may be the opposite when the parties involved meet in person for a date. Scenarios such as this are common in this era of the social media world, posing a clear manifestation of how intrapersonal communication has been entwined by the internet space. It is just but one of the outlets of the intrapersonal communication. How an individual views or understands the world may as well be pegged on their personal encounter with the internet. The interactions with the internet may shape personalities, and more of these depend on the individual’s perception towards the stimuli they are exposed to (Shedletsky & Aitkin, 2004).
Intrapersonal communication has also been boosted through the internet and cyberspace in the world today. The social enhancement theory states that introverts have benefited the most in this capacity (Shedletsky & Aitkin, 2004). There is more self-inquiry in individuals. This means that the way in which feelings are communicated is more stable through the internet media. One is influenced to think in line with what stimuli they are responding to or they are creating. For introverts in this case, they have been given the social platform where they are able to share their views and perceptions on everyday life without necessarily being caught in the usual fixture of conversing before a group. Computer mediation and cognitive collaboration in the intrapersonal communication has also been enhanced through technological advancement. Traditionally the intrapersonal cognitive collaboration occurs when two people jointly share intrapersonal processing leading to construction of similar thoughts. The computer mediation has led to an improved and a plethora of various ways collaboration possibilities (Thurlow et al., 2004).
In conclusion, the intrapersonal communication as depicted in this essay has really influenced the way people communicate over the internet. Whatever one says, writes or communicates over the internet social platform is usually a direct idea originating from the intrapersonal communications taking place in their cognitive faculties; the self-search and discovery. The internet has also overseen a major shift in the way people communicate over social platforms. People’s identity and personal belief may be communicated through the way they respond to different stimuli as discussed above. The internal discourse, lone conversations or solo writings have found a good platform for direct or indirect expression. A person’s intrapersonal outlook can therefore be said to have been exponentially boosted by the internet and the computer mediations.
References
Shedletsky, L., & Aitkin, J.E. (2004). Communication on the Internet. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Thurlow, C., Lengel, L., &Tomic, A. (2004).Computer Mediated Communication: Social Interaction and the Internet. London, England: Sage Publications Ltd.
Trenholm, S. (2008).Thinking through Communication (5th idea). Allyn&Bacon
