Smartphone Conversational Etiquette: The Impact of Injunctive and Descriptive Conversational Norms on Multicommunication Behaviors

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session I
  In Interactive Paper Session: Communication and Technology Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

This study examined the factors influencing the likelihood that people would communicate on their smart phone while engaging in face-to-face conversations (multi-communication). An online survey (N=517) found that U.S. participants' perceptions of injunctive norms (peer expectations) and descriptive norms (peer behaviors) were strongly and positively correlated with the likelihood of engaging in multi-communication behaviors. Participants tended to overestimate the extent to which others would engage in multi-communication. Perceptions that multi-communication violated conversational etiquette diminished the likelihood that people would engage in those activities. Greater engagement in multi-communication and perceived injunctive norms increased participants’ anxiety about being separated from their smart phone. Behaviors and norms varied depending upon the type of communication (work-related, family-related, or social life-related) and the conversational context (work, home, or social setting). Work related multi-communication was most common at work, but communicating about family and social life was most likely at home and in social settings.

Authors

• Tamara Makana Chock, Syracuse U

• Ji Won Kim, Syracuse University