Communication Technology & Society

The Communication Technology and Society interest area learns about the ways that communication technologies affect relational processes and social movements. Specifically, we study the effects of communication technology on human behaviors, physiological responses, attitudes and values as these things contribute to communication processes.

For example, recent research conducted in our area has addressed:

  • Effects of violent video games on aggression
  • Online political communication of contentious topics
  • Impression formation in Social Networking Websites
  • The effects of virtual worlds on behaviors and attitudes
  • The effects of technology on interpersonal communication
  • Online social capital and its effects on health communication
  • Audience responses to technologically mediated communication

Faculty who typically work with students in this area include: