A comparative analysis of the social climates found among face to face and Internet-based groups within Multi-User Dimensions.

摘要

urrently there are numerous efforts underway to design and implement Internet based learning environments. Yet the psychological and social dynamics of Internet based interaction has received little attention in the past from educational researchers. With advocacy of the Internet as an educational medium on the rise, it seems essential that a better understanding of on-line psychological and social phenomena be established. This study explores the group interactional factors of a particular domain within the Internet known as the Multi-User Dimension (MUD) via the construct known as Social Climate. The social climate of a group is the "personality" of a setting that gives it unity and coherence. Just as certain individuals can be said to be very task oriented or friendlier than others, so too can various environments differ in terms of how they encourage achievement, competition, open expression of emotions and so forth. The social climates of 31 groups within Internet based multi-user dimensions were assessed utilizing form R of Moos' Group Environment Scale (GES) questionnaire. The GES consists of 10 subscales that measure three underlying sets of dimensions: relationship dimensions, personal growth or goal orientation dimensions, and system maintenance and change dimensions. These profiles were then compared to the GES norms established for face to face social-recreational groups. A total of 128 individuals belonging to groups ranging in size from 3 to 10 members per group were surveyed via electronic mail. Significant differences between face to face and MUD groups were found to exist in 6 of the GES subscales. Specifically, participants' responses indicated that Mud groups allow for a greater degree of self expression,