Perceptions of authenticity in computer-mediated communication

Abstract

The present study examines the effects of presentation consistency and duration of interaction on perceived authenticity and liking from the perspective of idealization and schema theory. A 2 (presentation-consistent/inconsistent) × 2 (initial interaction/extended interaction) between-subjects experiment was conducted among university students (N = 173) in Singapore. Participants viewed a profile of their expected chat partner, and half of them proceeded to interact with their partner. Results showed that perceived authenticity and liking were higher in extended interactions compared to initial interactions, regardless of presentation consistency. Furthermore, the effect of duration of interaction on perceived authenticity was greater for presentation-inconsistent groups compared to presentation- consistent groups. Findings suggest that in extended interactions, online communicators tend to perceive interaction partners as authentic, even when their verbal disclosures are inconsistent with their nonverbal presentations (e.g. display pictures). Theoretical implications on schema tuning and the hyperpersonal model, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed.