The impact of inter-activity on relationship development: Testing predicted outcome value theory on computer-mediated interactions

Abstract

This study proposed and tested a model of relational development in mediated environments. Burgoon and colleagues' principle of inter-activity (Burgoon, Bonito, Bengtsson, Ramirez, Dunbar, & Miczo, 1999), Sunnafrank's (1986) Predicted Outcome Value theory, and Walther's (1996; Walther & Burgoon, 1992) Social Information Processing theory were reviewed and each incorporated into a model for understanding how decisions to pursue relationships in mediated environments occur. The present study examined the role of media and information richness and mediation within the model's framework. Dyads conducted two socially-oriented interactions via one of four conditions (text-only, audioconferencing, videoconferencing, or face-to-face). Results indicated experiential properties were strongly associated with initial predicted outcome values and the certainty with which they are held, which in turn were associated with various relational and communicative factors. Initial predicted outcome values also distinguished relationships which developed from those that did not. Implications for each theoretical perspective are discussed.