Publication Type: GIFTS
Abstract: In this activity, students use their Facebook or MySpace profiles to analyze self-disclosure and self-presentation. They print out their Facebook or MySpace profiles and bring them to class. In groups of four or five, students examine their profiles. They discuss characteristics of self-disclosure, benefits of self-disclosure, appropriate self-disclosure, and self-presentation in terms of how information is published on their profiles. The small groups then join the class in a summarizing discussion.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: A consistent finding in computer-mediated communication (CMC) and Internet research is that, compared to face-to-face communication, CMC results in higher levels of self-disclosure. We identified four possible mediators that may carry the influence of CMC on self-disclosure: self-presentation, similarity, self-awareness, and direct questioning. The validity of these mediators was tested in an experiment in which 81 cross-sex dyads were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions: a text-only CMC condition, a visual CMC condition, and a face-to-face condition. Self-disclosure was lower in the face-to-face condition than in the text-only CMC condition and the visual CMC condition. Between the two CMC conditions, no differences in self-disclosure were found. Of the four possible mediators, only direct questioning mediated the effect of CMC on self-disclosure. CMC dyads engaged in more direct questioning and therefore displayed higher levels of self-disclosure.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The current study examines the effects of self-disclosure of an interface agent and users' attachment styles on user-agent close relationship formation. The experiment was conducted in a 2(agent's self-disclosure: Disclosure vs. Non-Disclosure) by 4(participants' attachment styles). After interactions with the agent, participants evaluated their perceived closeness - inclusion of other in the self, subjective closeness, expectations of influences in future interaction, and trust – toward the agent.
The results are summarized as follows: 1) self-disclosure of an agent had a positive impact on perceived closeness toward the agent; 2) participants' attachment styles were related to perceived closeness; those with a dismissing style consistently perceived the agent as least intimate, while preoccupied and fearful as relatively intimate; 3) with respect to trust toward the agent, a significant interaction effect was found; preoccupied and fearful persons rated the agent as more trustworthy when they received self-disclosure from the agent than when they did not, whereas ratings of secure and dismissing persons were not affected by agent's self-disclosure. These results show that self-disclosure of an agent and users' attachment styles affect relationship formation in the user-agent context, similar to findings in human relationship. Theoretical and practical (agent design) implications are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Many discussions of self-disclosure in the classroom assume that students' educational interests are best served when their teachers remain circumspect about their own identities, interests, and political views. This paper questions that assumption, arguing that the benefits to student learning are potentially greater than the risks presented by instructor self-disclosure.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Overweight/obese people face stigma. A pilot study helped create a weight-related stigma measure, adapted from the HIV stigma measure (Berger, Ferrans, & Lashley, 2001). CFA results confirmed the measure’s internal consistency. Using privacy management theory as a framework, participants (N = 199) completed a survey that included a hypothetical conversational partner's profile. Results of regression analysis revealed that partner attraction and weight-related stigma significantly predicted self-disclosure. Implications are discussed.