Computer-mediated Interpersonal Communication And Re-tribalization Of Communication

Computer-Mediated Interpersonal Communication (CMIC) is an interpersonal information-transmitting activity grounded on computer networks, which is in a relative form to the traditional face-to-face interpersonal communication (FTFIC). As an extension of traditional interpersonal communication in new medium, CMIC has the characteristics of both the traditional interpersonal communication and those meshing with network media. Nowadays, information circumstance makes the demanding need for CMIC keep ever-growing. Among net users, young people especially college students, make up a group of distinctive characteristics and of very importance. Network media stimulates contemporary college students' needs for experiencing and communicating greatly.Through quantitative empirical study of CIMC between college students in Changchun, this paper intends to depict the motivation and behavior of college students in Changchun, via analyssis of investigation results in communication study's angel of view, depicting the characteristics of CIMC among Changchun students, as well as CIMC's influence on communicational activities. The main conclusions of this research are as follows:1. The characteristics of CMIC are in accord with general features of interpersonal communication in communication study, yet with its own distinctive peculiarity. The result of quantitative empirical study in this paper reveals that, at least within the group of college students in Changchun city, besides having a majority of elements in FTFIC, the characteristics and effects of CMIC activity can also be interpreted based on the already-existing FTFIC theory. Meanwhile, due to network media's peculiarity, CMIC has some different characteristics from FTFIC as well.2. CMIC is in accord with Marshall McLuhan's "Tribalization- Detribalization- Retribalization" generalization on history of human communication. CMIC's peculiarity of diverse and integrated information form, exempts people from more sense separation in information dissemination activities, thus obtaining organic balance from the sense of seeing, hearing and thinking. Network has already become a significant medium for interpersonal communication besides FTFIC, and various aspects of spiritual world are also the primary content as expressed through CMIC. At the same time. With a high level of information sharing and diversity, network makes humankind more likely to form an integrated whole, so as to become a "new tribal man" in the macro global culture.