When online meets offline: A field investigation of modality switching

In order to explore the differing theoretical predictions of the cues-filtered-out perspective, SIDE model, and hyperpersonal model for online-to-offline relationships outside of the laboratory, a longitudinal survey study was conducted. Participants from a large online message board community who met up with an online acquaintance face-to-face completed surveys regarding their relationship with that individual before and after meeting their acquaintance face to face. Results indicated that the amount of communication with the online acquaintance was related to greater relation development whereas connection to the group was only related to greater individual closeness not satisfaction or predicted outcome value. In general the face-to-face meeting resulted in improved closeness, satisfaction, and predicted outcome value. An exploration for curvilinear effects as predicted by the hyperpersonal model revealed that predicted outcome value at time 1 had a curvilinear effect on closeness at time 2.

► Longitudinal study of people who first met on an online message board and then later met in person.
► Individuals reported greater relational quality when using multi-modal communication.
► Community engagement was correlated with higher levels of closeness.
► The level of predicted outcome value in time 1 predicted curvilinear changes in closeness at time 2.