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Original Article
Effects of Duration and Laughter on Subjective Happiness Within Different Modes of Communication
Article first published online: 9 JUL 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2012.01584.x
© 2012 International Communication Association
Additional Information
How to Cite
Vlahovic, T. A., Roberts, S. and Dunbar, R. (2012), Effects of Duration and Laughter on Subjective Happiness Within Different Modes of Communication. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 17: 436–450. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2012.01584.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 9 JUL 2012
- Article first published online: 9 JUL 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 10 AUG 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 12 JUL 2011
- Manuscript Received: 1 JAN 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Social relationships;
- face-to-face interaction;
- computer-mediated communication;
- happiness;
- laughter;
- media naturalness theory;
- social information processing theory
Abstract
Media naturalness theory and social information processing theory make competing predictions regarding the effectiveness of different modes of communication at creating and maintaining emotionally intense social relationships. We explored how the duration of interaction and the form of laughter influenced happiness in communication modes with different levels of media naturalness. Forty-one participants completed a 14-day contact diary, recording interactions across face-to-face, Skype, telephone, instant messaging, texting, and e-mail/social network sites. Increases in duration of interaction positively predicted happiness only for face-to-face interactions, offering partial support for the media naturalness hypothesis. Laughter positively predicted happiness in all but one of the communication modes, with real and symbolic laughter having similar effects, a result consistent with the social information processing theory.