Diplomacy in Presentation
The manner in which we express ourselves online goes beyond caring what others think about our opinions. When we present our opinions online we can truly express our real thoughts, but some people will still try to present only non confrontational points of view. This is not constructive in truly discussing a subject. It is quite possible to present your real views while being diplomatic about those views and respecting and allowing for others to do the same. A strong opinion that does not take into consideration respect for others might obstruct classmate’s desire to participate in a forum because of the fear of being attacked by the other participants. Liu & Fahmy (2010) explain, “The spiral of silence theory proposes that the likelihood an individual will express their opinions in public are based on the positive monitoring of the opinion climate and the comparison of their own opinions with the perceived current and future public opinions. If individuals perceive that their opinions are on the majority or on the rise, they might be willing to speak out. However, if they judge that their opinions are on the minority side or are on the decline, they might decide to keep silent or conform to the majority” (Page 46).
My personal experience in an online environment is that it is perfectly fine disagreeing on a topic, and one should stand up for ones point of view, but there is no need to hurt others to get your point across. Opinions and views are fine to present, however any opinion should be backed up with some informative facts or data, instead of ending a conversation by saying “because I say so.” Everyone has an opinion, but it is not constructive to present opinions without showing why those opinions exist by using data and supportive information. My husband once told me: “If we all agree that we disagree, there will be fewer conflicts in this world.”
Integrity in an Online Environment
When interacting in an online environment, we do not see faces or hearts, just words; therefore, the way we express ourselves on the internet can define who we are in the eyes of someone else. But are we who we say we are to others? Or do we project a huge shield to protect ourselves from others? Or do we not take online communication seriously at all? Maybe I should rephrase my question: Are we honest with ourselves? The answer to those questions is for each one of us to answer. Suler (2004) explains, “It’s well known that people say and do things in cyberspace that they wouldn't ordinarily say or do in the face-to-face world. They loosen up, feel more uninhibited, and express themselves more openly. Researchers call this the "disinhibition effect." It's a double-edged sword. Sometimes people share very personal things about themselves. They reveal secret emotions, fears, wishes. Or they show unusual acts of kindness and generosity. We may call this benign disinhibition. On the other hand, the disinhibition effect may not be so benign [because] out spills rude language, harsh criticisms, anger, hatred,[and] even threats; we might call this toxic disinhibition” (Para.1). There is something interesting that happens to personalities when taking online classes. We see many times people extremely introverted in a face to face environment, but in an online environment they are willing to speak out and share personal experiences.
According to Suler (2004), “While online people may feel they have more opportunities to present themselves as they would like to present themselves, particularly in the carefully composed text of asynchronous communication. They may have more chances to convey thoughts and emotions that go "deeper" than the seemingly superficial persona of everyday living. These opportunities are very valuable aspects of cyberspace, but not necessarily evidence of a more true self. What we reveal about ourselves spontaneously, often right on the surface for others to see but without our being consciously awareness of it, may be just as real and true” (para.26). The truth is that we do not know who we are talking to on the other side of our screen. It is a normal reaction to the unknown to keep things at a distance, but sometimes it is necessary to step in to break the ice between online classmates. In most online environments I think it is smart to keep things at a more professional level, but when it comes to classmates, it is more enjoyable sharing experiences that we might learn from one another.
Self -Disclosure versus Privacy
Expressing one’s opinion or feelings is one thing, and disclosing personal information that can jeopardize our identity is a different topic. According to Joinson & Paine (2005), “In a legal context, privacy is largely synonymous with a ‘right to be let alone’. However, others have argued that privacy is only the right to prevent the disclosure of personal information” (Pg. 14)
Let us not confuse being honest with ourselves and the way with express our feelings or thoughts in our online classroom; versus being totally trusted to any unsecure chat room or blog and provide our address or social number to others.
According to Joinson & Paine (2005), “Self-disclosure is the telling of the previously unknown so that it becomes shared knowledge, the “process of making the self known to others” (Pg. 2). It is a normal attitude not to be willing to disclose ones feelings or thoughts at first in an online environment, because all our classmates will know who said what since posts are not anonymous. Another reason people might not express themselves is they might feel more vulnerable to others and fear to express their honest opinions.
Joinson & Paine (2005) explain that “self-disclosure can be categorized into either peripheral, intermediate, and core layers. The peripheral layer is concerned with biographic data (e.g. age), the intermediate layer with attitudes, values, and opinions and the core layer with personal beliefs, needs, fears, and values” (Pg.3). In my experience with online classes the peripheral and intermediate layers are the ones best expressed among classmates and myself. Only a few classes I have seen require one to develop the core layers and defend ones personal beliefs and values.
The best part of being oneself in an online environment is to build good relationships and new friends as well as to explore new parts of ourselves which help us to grow intellectually and internally.
Carol H.
References
Joinson, A. and Paine, C.(2005). Self-disclosure, Privacy and the Internet. Retrieve from
http://www.york.ac.uk/res/e-society/projects/15/PRISD_report2.pdf
Liu, X. & Fahmy,S.(2010). Exploring the spiral of silence in the virtual world: lndividuals'Willingness to express personal opinions in online versus offline settings. Journal of Media and Communication Studies Vol. 3(2), pp. 45-57. Retrieve from
http://www.academicjournals.org/jmcs/PDF/pdf2011/Feb/Liu%20and%20Fahmy.pdf
Suler, J. (2004). The Online Disinhibition Effect. Retrieved from
http://users.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/disinhibit.html#trueself
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