Texting: Problem, Solution, Or Paradigm Shift?

Texting: Problem, Solution, or Paradigm Shift?

Kim Parker Nyman, Speech

There are four basic forms of verbal communication: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This axiom has been regarded as truth for millennia; while some people may not have access to one or more of these forms (pre-literate people, for example), scholars across disciplines have known that these are the channels through which we send and receive meaning through language.

That may still be true. But communication scholars can no longer ignore the explosive growth of texting as a means by which people choose to communicate, and the nature of texting leads to some very interesting questions. How do we classify texting, for example? Is it a form of reading and writing, or is it more accurately regarded as a form of speaking and listening, albeit with a mechanical aid? Or, is it possible a new form of communication altogether that requires a new method of classification? More importantly, why has texting become the preferred method of communication among so many people with access to technology? And finally, why is texting so compelling an activity that entire campaigns are necessary to remind people not to do it while driving? (To date I have not observed any highway signs suggesting I put my book down and drive, or stop writing a note to my sister and drive.) This is likely due to the fact that common sense suggests we can neither read nor write while we are driving. Yet, far too many people think this common sense conclusion does not apply if the reading and writing is done on the small screens of our phones.

Why?

For too long, we “Digital Immigrants” have regarded texting as a sort of fad common to the “Digital Natives” that we teach, rather like piercings, tattoos, and the habit of wearing pants several sizes too big. We assume it’s a classroom management issue (“Put your phones away!”) or, from a somewhat expanded perspective, as a potentially mortal blow to polite conversation, effective interpersonal relationships, or even common courtesy (“Stop checking your phone when I’m talking to you!”) Solutions are offered for instructors desperate to regain student eye contact, and articles are written that suggest that dates are more romantic if both parties can resist the temptation to gaze eagerly at their Androids at the first ding! of an incoming message. In other words, texting has been regarded as a social problem, likely a generational issue, one that we can solve by restricting the activity and enforcing rules designed to bring everything back to The Way It Was When People Actually Talked With Each Other.

Yet, in spite of the rules, and in spite of the restrictions, texting is becoming more popular, not less, and attracting more, not fewer, types of users. A casual glance around any campus meeting will reveal heads bent over phones, fingers tapping away, along with the almost Pavlovian head jerk at the vibration that signals an incoming message, and the same appears to be true of meetings in the world outside of academe. Parents text through their children’s sporting events; grandparents text during movies and meals. Texting is no longer the exclusive provenance of Millenials; it comprises a significant part of our own daily exchange with others. Still, we often insist on discussing it as if it represented a disruptor of “real” communication.

My proposed study (ideally for Fall 2017) will be to thoroughly understand the reasons for and consequences of the growth of texting as a form of both personal and professional communication. While much has been written about the hazards of texting and its implications for the communication process, recent literature also suggests many possible benefits. I would like to review the consequences, positive and negative, of texting, try to determine why this form of communication has become so popular, and consider what this popularity may mean to the study of human communication.

Throughout this study, I will be looking for support or contraindications for the following hypotheses:

1)Texting should rightly be considered a new form of human communication rather than a type of reading/writing.

2)Texting has become a popular way to foster connections because of its ability to reduce factors that may lead to rejection and increase factors that may help increase the chances for inclusion.

3)Texting has become a popular way to foster connections because of its ease of use and lack of complex rules.

4)Texting has become a popular way to foster connections because it helps overcome fundamental differences in the perception of communication between genders.

While I doubt that I will be able to conclusively confirm or deny these hypotheses, they will inform my study and make interesting topics of discussion for later presentations and papers.

Study Plan and Goals:

Rationale: Today’s technological innovations in communication have all been driven by, and created to meet, human interpersonal needs. It is time to look at texting not as a socially disruptive technology, but a new form of communication that is neither reading and writing, nor speaking and listening. Like the Smartphones that enable it, texting has evolved to solve specific communication problems and enables us to meet our needs for affiliation, inclusion, and relationship growth and development. Texting as a new and distinct form of communication represents a paradigm shift in terms of interpersonal communication theory. As do all such changes, it threatens us and introduces its own challenges to which we will have to respond, but the advantages it brings are substantial and as yet not well-appreciated. To this end, I propose to study texting as a means of human connectedness, a form of, rather than a hindrance to, effective interpersonal communication. This is in keeping with my background in interpersonal communication and my desire to increase understanding of how technology impacts human relationships. The study of texting would be of great interest to my colleagues, would add relevant material to my classroom teaching, and would possibly lead to further study and publication.

Study Questions: After a review of the impact of modern technology on our study of human communication, I plan to divide this study to cover the following questions/topics:

What does texting tell us about the individual? What, if anything, does reliance on technology for interpersonal communication tell us about the emotional health and emotional intelligence of an individual? Can texting become an addiction, and can it be a sign of poor mental health or stunted emotional development?

What has been the impact of texting on literacy and learning? After a general overview on early fears and later research findings, I will review the impact of texting in the classroom, focusing on higher education as that is most relevant to the Collin community.

How has texting impacted the initiation and growth of interpersonal relationships? This will include
Romantic relationships and friendships
Parent/child/family relationships

How is texting fostering the growth of business and professional relationships?
Medical personnel and their patients
Counselors and clients
Educators/institutions/parents/teachers
Businesses and their customers

Summary and conclusion: From this study, I would like to contemplate what has led to the explosive growth of texting as a means of communications and what we may expect for the future.

Study Schedule:

I propose to first review the history of the use of modern technology and interpersonal communication using the texts The Digital Divide: Arguments For and Against Facebook, Google, Texting, and the Age of Social Networking (Bauerlain, ed.) and iDisorder: Understanding Our Obsession With Technology and Overcoming Its Hold On Us (Rosen). I plan to begin my review of these and other background articles during the Summer 2017 term, not only because I will have some leisure time to do so, but because I have a very ambitious bibliography to cover. Furthermore, I will need to continually check for new articles being published as texting remains a topic of great interest in several disciplines, so I may well find articles to add to this list.

Summer 2017 and Weeks 1-4 (August 14-September 10): What does texting tell us about the individual?

Bianchi, Adriana, and James G. Phillips. "Psychological Predictors Of Problem Mobile Phone Use." Cyberpsychology & Behavior 8.1 (2005): 39-51.

Chóliz, Mariano. "Mobile Phone Addiction: A Point Of Issue." Addiction 105.2 (2010): 373-374.

Chóliz, M. "Mobile-Phone Addiction In Adolescence: The Test Of Mobile Phone Dependence (TMD)." Progress In Health Sciences 2.1 (2012): 33-44.

Dvorak, John C. "Texting: Hazardous To Your Health." PC Magazine 29.11 (2010): 1.

Goldsborough, Reid. "Texting As Social Regress." Teacher Librarian 39.5 (2012): 73.

Harmon, Patricia. "Does Texting Affect Emotional Intelligence?." T+D 67.7 (2013): 70-71.

Jin, Borae, and Namkee Park. "In-Person Contact Begets Calling And Texting: Interpersonal Motives For Cell Phone Use, Face-To-Face Interaction, And Loneliness." Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking 13.6 (2010): 611-618.

Konrath, Sara, et al. "Can Text Messages Increase Empathy And Prosocial Behavior? The Development And Initial Validation Of Text To Connect." Plos ONE 10.9 (2015): 1-27.

Park, Namkee, Seungyoon Lee, and Jae Eun Chung. "Uses Of Cellphone Texting: An Integration Of Motivations, Usage Patterns, And Psychological Outcomes." Computers In Human Behavior 62 (2016): 712-719.

Weeks 4-7 (September 11-October 1) What is the impact of texting on literacy and learning?

Bjornsen, Chris A. and Kellie J. Archer. “Relations Between College Students’ Cell Phone Use During Class and Grades.” Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology (Dec. 2015): 326-336.

"Does Texting Lead To Poor Literacy Skills?." Education (14637073) 452 (2012): 3.

Drouin, M. A. "College Students' Text Messaging, Use Of Textese And Literacy Skills." Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning 27.1 (2011): 67-75.

Drouin, Michelle, and Brent Driver. "Texting, Textese And Literacy Abilities: A Naturalistic Study." Journal Of Research In Reading 37.3 (2014): 250-267.

McDonald, Sylvia E. "The Effects And Predictor Value Of In-Class Texting Behavior On Final Course Grades." College Student Journal 47.1 (2013): 34-40.

Nielsen, Lisa, and Willyn Webb. "Teaching With Cell Phones." Educational Leadership 72.8 (2015): 70-73.

Olmsted, Nicole M., and Christopher P. Terry. "Who's Texting In Class? A Look At Behavioral And Psychological Predictors." Psi Chi Journal Of Psychological Research 19.4 (2014): 183-190.

Ouellette, Gene and Melissa Michaud. “Generation Text: Relations Among Undergraduates’ Use of Text Messaging, Textese, and Language and Literacy Skills.” Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science 48:3 (July 2016): 217-221

Wei, Fang-Yi Flora, Y. Ken Wang, and Michael Klausner. "Rethinking College Students' Self-Regulation And Sustained Attention:Does Text Messaging During Class Influence Cognitive Learning?." Communication Education 61.3 (2012): 185-204.

Wood, Clare, Nenagh Kemp, and Sam Waldron. "Exploring The Longitudinal Relationships Between The Use Of Grammar In Text Messaging And Performance On Grammatical Tasks." British Journal Of Developmental Psychology 32.4 (2014): 415-429.

Weeks 7-14 (October 2-November 19): How has texting impacted the initiation and growth of interpersonal relationships?

Weeks 7-10 (October 2-October 29): Romantic Relationships and Friendships:

Allen, Kathleen P. "Off The Radar And Ubiquitous: Text Messaging And Its Relationship To ‘Drama’ And Cyberbullying In An Affluent, Academically Rigorous US High School." Journal Of Youth Studies 15.1 (2012): 99-117.

Amichai-Hamburger, Yair, and ShirEtgar. "Intimacy And Smartphone Multitasking--A New Oxymoron?" Psychological Reports 119.3 (2016): 826-838.

Birke, Sarah. "U Mean The World 2 Me." New Statesman 136.4874 (2007): 22.

Boniel-Nissim, Meyran, et al. "International Trends In Electronic Media Communication Among 11- To 15-Year-Olds In 30 Countries From 2002 To2010: Association With Ease Of Communication With Friends Of The Opposite Sex."

Coyne, Sarah M., et al. "'I Luv U :)!': A Descriptive Study Of The Media Use Of Individuals In Romantic Relationships." Family Relations 60.2 (2011): 150-162.

Jin, Borae, and Jorge F. Peña. "Mobile Communication In Romantic Relationships: Mobile Phone Use, Relational Uncertainty, Love, Commitment, And Attachment Styles." Communication Reports 23.1 (2010): 39-51.

Khunou, Grace. "Making Love Possible: Cell Phones and Intimate Relationships." African Identities 10.2 (2012): 169-179.

Lopez-Rosenfeld, Matías, et al. "Neglect In Human Communication: Quantifying The Cost Of Cell-Phone Interruptions In Face To Face Dialogs." Plos ONE 10.6 (2015): 1-9.

Miller-Ott, Aimee E., Lynne Kelly, and Robert L. Duran. "The Effects Of Cell Phone Usage Rules On Satisfaction In Romantic Relationships." Communication Quarterly 60.1 (2012): 17-34.

Novak, Joshua R., et al. "The Impact Of Texting On Perceptions Of Face-To-Face Communication In Couples In Different Relationship Stages." Journal Of Couple & Relationship Therapy 15.4 (2016): 274-294.

Reid, Fraser J. M., and Donna J. Reid. "The Expressive And Conversational Affordances Of Mobile Messaging." Behaviour & Information Technology 29.1 (2010): 3-22.

Sharon, Jayson, @SharonJayson, and TODAY USA. "How texting has blown up the dating culture." USA Today n.d.:

VandenAbeele, MariekM.P., Marjolijn L. Antheunis, and Alexander P. Schouten. "The Effect Of Mobile Messaging During A Conversation On Impression Formation And Interaction Quality." Computers In Human Behavior 62.(2016): 562-569.

Weisskirch, Robert S., and Raquel Delevi. "Its Ovr B/N U N Me: Technology Use, Attachment Styles, And Gender Roles In Relationship Dissolution." Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking 15.9 (2012): 486-490.

Weeks 15-16 (October 30-November 12): Parent/Child/Family Relationships

Bond, Emma. "The Mobile Phone = Bike Shed? Children, Sex And Mobile Phones." New Media & Society 13.4 (2011): 587-604.

Hertlein, Katherine M., and Katrina Ancheta. "Clinical Application Of The Advantages Of Technology In Couple And Family Therapy." American Journal Of Family Therapy 42.4 (2014): 313-324.

Koltz, Rebecca L., and Dawn S. Tarabochia. "Technology: Using It As A Means To Creatively Connect With Adolescents." Journal Of Creativity In Mental Health 9.3 (2014): 380-398.

Weisskirch, Robert S. "No Crossed Wires: Cell Phone Communication In Parent-Adolescent Relationships." Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking 14.7/8 (2011): 447-451.

Weeks 17-19 (November 13-December 3): How is texting fostering the growth of business and professional relationships?

Anderson, Nicholas, et al. "Governance Strategies For Conducting Text Messaging Interventions In Clinical Research." CTS: Clinical & Translational Science 7.2 (2014): 127-131.

Dash, Jonathan, et al. "Use Of Email, Cell Phone And Text Message Between Patients And Primary-Care Physicians: Cross-Sectional Study In A French-Speaking Part Of Switzerland." BMC Health Services Research 16.(2016): 1-7.

Gilgore, Sara, Holly Peele, and Maya Riser-Kositsky. "Parent-Teacher Digital Exchanges Studied. (Cover Story)." Education Week 35.4 (2015): 1-16.

Harley, Dave, et al. "Using Texting To Support Students' Transition To University." Innovations In Education & Teaching International 44.3 (2007): 229-241.

"Keep Communication Going Even After The Exam." Review of Optometry (2015): 23.

Klie, Leonard. "Text Takes Precedence As A Customer Service Preference. (Cover Story)." CRM Magazine 19.4 (2015): 18-21.

Lazaros, Edward J. "Using Email-Based Text Messaging To Effectively Communicate With Parents And Students." Tech Directions 76.1 (2016): 23-25.

Szilagyi, Peter G., and William G. Adams. "Text Messaging: A New Tool for Improving Preventive Services." JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association 25 Apr. 2012: 1748+.

Week 20 (December 11-17): Summary and conclusion

Park, Namkee, Seungyoon Lee, and Jae Eun Chung. "Uses Of Cellphone Texting: An Integration Of Motivations, Usage Patterns, And Psychological Outcomes." Computers In Human Behavior 62.(2016): 712-719.

Thompson, Clive. "OMG! We've Been Here B4." Smithsonian 46.10 (2016): 23-28.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amichai-Hamburger, Yair, and ShirEtgar. "Intimacy And Smartphone Multitasking--A New Oxymoron?." Psychological Reports 119.3 (2016): 826-838.

Anderson, Nicholas, et al. "Governance Strategies For Conducting Text Messaging Interventions In Clinical Research." CTS: Clinical & Translational Science 7.2 (2014): 127-131.

Bauerlein, Mark ed. The Digital Divide: Arguments For and Against Facebook, Google, Texting, and the Age of Social Networking. Penguin Books Ltd: London. 2011

Bianchi, Adriana, and James G. Phillips. "Psychological Predictors Of Problem Mobile Phone Use." Cyberpsychology & Behavior 8.1 (2005): 39-51.

Birke, Sarah. "U Mean The World 2 Me." New Statesman 136.4874 (2007): 22.

Bjornsen, Chris A. and Kellie J. Archer. “Relations Between College Students’ Cell Phone Use During Class and Grades.” Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology (Dec. 2015): 326-336.

Bond, Emma. "The Mobile Phone = Bike Shed? Children, Sex, and Mobile Phones." New Media & Society 13.4 (2011): 587-604.

Boniel-Nissim, Meyran, et al. "International Trends In Electronic Media Communication Among 11- To 15-Year-Olds In 30 Countries From 2002 To 2010: Association With Ease Of Communication With Friends Of The Opposite Sex." European Journal Of Public Health 25.(2015): 41-45.