Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Nobuya Inagaki

Second Advisor

Dr. John Caputo

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between technology and emotional communication, and focuses on how technology influences our personal thoughts, feelings, and emotions. By examining the philosophical assumption of Martin Buber that through our dialogue, there is mutual respect and appreciation for the other person involved because we hold that person in high regard and see that person in the image of God, this study seeks to answer the question, How have Skype and Face Time technology changed the way people communicate emotionally? The theoretical basis of this study focuses on Coordinated Management of Meaning, a theory that states that persons involved in conversation co-create their own social realities, and are influenced by the realities that they create. The research design utilizes quantitative research. The quantitative research includes an email invitation with a link to an online survey distributed to graduate and undergraduate Gonzaga University students through Zagmail, the Gonzaga University email system. The study looks at how Skype and Face Time technology have influenced emotional communication by measuring students' perceptions regarding the technology, and applies both Social Presence Theory and Media Richness Theory to explain the findings. The study attempts to answer the research question by examining the implications of these findings, and offers recommendations for further research.

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