The Effect of Anonymity on Conformity in Computer-Mediated Communication: A Meta-Analysis

• In Event: Intergroup Dynamics in the Context of Place and (Cyber)Space

Abstract

This meta-analytic study investigated the effect of anonymity on conformity in CMC contexts.Twenty two correlation coefficients from twelve eligible studies were extracted and analyzed according to the procedures illustrated by Hunter and Schmidt (2004). The findings were consistent with the SIDE model and the average weighted correlation coefficient is .16. This indicates that anonymity positively affects conformity to group norms in CMC contexts. In addition, the operationalization of anonymity and the presence of an outgroup were found to be moderators on the relationship between anonymity and conformity. The average weighted correlation coefficient in visual anonymity conditions was larger than those in physical and personal information anonymity conditions. And the presence of an outgroup also enhanced the effect of anonymity on conformity.

Authors

• Guanxiong Huang, Michigan State U

• Kang Li, Michigan State U