Social information processing (SIP) theory is an interpersonal communication theory which proposes that given time and opportunity to interact, relationships between individuals can form in online environments and that online interpersonal relationship development might require more time to develop than traditional face-to-face relationships. Joseph Walther developed this theory in 1992.

Once established, online personal relationships demonstrate the same relational dimensions and qualities as face to face relationships. Online personal relationships may help facilitate relationships that would not be formed in face to face world due to intergroup differences.

A theory of online communication

There have been numerous attempts by researchers to formulate a theory that explains the nature of online interactions. While the earliest theories focused on more negative aspects, frequently depicting online communication as depersonalizing, more recently developed theories are more optimistic, characterizing online interactants as capable of forming impressions and relationships with those they meet online. One such theory is called social information processing (SIP) theory. SIP theory, often referred to as "cues filtered in," proposes that despite the lack of nonverbal communication inherent in online interactions, people formulate ways to give off and interpret individuating information. Instead, people seek out and interpret cues that serve as substitutes of nonverbal communication, such as use of emoticons and time stamps. Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is nonverbal communication through the use of computers in the form of text. CMC is what Joseph Walther's social information processing theory is built around. The CMC channel facilitates editing, discretion, and convenience, and the ability to tune out environmental distractions and re-allocate cognitive resources in order to further enhance one’s message composition. The amount of time one can spend constructing and refining a message prior to its utterance, with less social awkwardness also differs from FtF conversation, allowing the user almost unlimited time for editing and composing. Walther is convinced that the length of time that CMC users have to send their messages is the key factor that determines whether their messages can achieve the level of intimacy that others develop face-to-face. When comparing 10 minutes of face-to-face conversation with 40 minutes of CMC, there was no difference in partner affinity between the two modes. Senders do not exude their natural physical features and non-deliberate actions into the receiver’s realm of perception. There is much less ‘‘leakage’’ in CMC since there is no unwanted nonverbal indication of undesirable affect or attitude. Furthermore, Walther found that, proportionately, CMC partners ask more questions and disclose more about themselves than do their face-to-face counterparts. In these ways, impressions and relational communication improve over time in CMC to parallel face-to face interactions. We know from various studies conducted face-to-face (f2f) that people, by their very nature, are motivated in interactions with others to "reduce interpersonal uncertainty, form impressions, and develop affinity (535)." This is found in online interactions as well. SIP theory thus constructs people as beings capable of adopting and interpreting alternate methods to form impressions of others in the absence of cues present in f2f interactions. Instead of passively allowing the internet to influence and shape people’s communication behaviors, people use the internet and the clues it provides to interpret and form impressions of others. People are thus capable of taking a low-bandwidth media and using the limited cues it provides us with to construct perceptions of others. CMC users adapt their efforts to present and acquire social information using whatever cues a medium provides.

Example

Two people are being sent on a blind date by their friends. The date will be in three weeks so the friends give the two people going on the blind date each others phone numbers and email addresses so they can get to know each other a little before the date. One sends the other an email after a couple of days and they slowly begin to disclose information. Each of them has the ability to think about what they want to tell the other person and decide how much information to disclose to one another. Having these beginning conversations over the internet takes away the awkward silences as well as takes away some of the initial uncertainties they have about each other. Over the three week time period the two people have become very close and are excited to meet each other. The atmosphere will not be awkward anymore, they two people will feel like old friends.

Criticisms

Despite the fact that social information processing theory offers a more optimistic perspective through which to perceive of and analyze online interactions, the theory is not without its criticisms. Even though Walther (2002) proposes that users of computer-mediated communication (CMC) have the same interpersonal needs as those communicating face-to-face, he proposes that the lack of visual cues inherent in CMC are disadvantages to be overcome over time. Thus, because the internet is a lower bandwidth medium through which to communicate than face-to-face interaction, more time is needed for interactants to get to know one another. The fact that proponents of SIP theory still conceive of the internet medium as impoverished or lacking, firmly roots SIP theory in the "loss camp" of CMC. Walther's (2002) claim that over time CMC may be able to match face-to-face communication in its "socialness" proves to be anathema to the theory's assumption that the internet is a social medium.

Furthermore, many of Walther's hypotheses prior to conducting studies ultimately banked on the misguided assumption that social behavior would be greater in face-to-face interactions than online. In one such study conducted in 1995, Walther used this very hypothesis, but added that differences in socialness between the two media would disappear in time. Walther was surprised to find that his results turned out to be contrary to this prediction. The results showed that, regardless of time-scale, CMC groups were rated higher in most measures of relational communication than those participating in the face-to-face condition.

See also

• Social identity model of deindividuation effects (SIDE)
• Hyperpersonal model
  Hyperpersonal Model
  The hyperpersonal model is an interpersonal communication theory that suggests that computer-mediated communication can become hyperpersonal because it affords message senders a host of communicative advantages over traditional face-to-face interaction...
  
  
• Selective self-presentation

Further reading

• Joinson, Adam. (2003). Understanding the psychology of Internet behavior. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Walther, J. B. (1992). Interpersonal effects in computer-mediated interaction: A relational perspective. Communication Research, 19, 52–90.
• Walther, J. B., & Parks, M. (2002). Cues filtered out, cues filtered in. Handbook of Interpersonal Communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.