Reconstructing Emotional Aspects of Computer Mediated Communication Vis-À-Vis Human Relationship

This article attempts to pieces computer mediated communication with an aim to analyse emotional aspects of this communication which seems to be garnering momentum to replace human/face to face communication across all spheres and ramifications of living. It points to technology’s obsession at annihilating time and space while attempting an incorporation of elements and complex algorithms which attempts to transmit human emotions as would be in a face to face context. Adopting theoretical angles and arguments in literature, the piece arrives at a position which presents the perspective that although technology promises a lot as regards advancement in communication using computer-based platforms, it may never capture the essence nor replace the universe of valuable insights and elements which defines human relationships and communication.

domains and carry most if not all the real meanings in a face to face communication context. The view stressing nonverbal parts of communication as an essential and important carrier of meaning had been demonstrated in Mehrabian (1971) study where it proposed that non-verbal aspects of communication ( Tone of Voice 38% and Body Language -55%) carry true meaning and the true messages sent and received within an instance of Face to Face communication. From Mehrabian's (1971) perspective, facial expression and some other body centred cues are intrinsic component of body language situated within non-verbal realms in communication. These views emphasize the position that nonverbal cues and signs are important in human relationship and communication. Along that lane of thought, it is evidently clear that the same non-verbal cue and its extent of involvement in human relationship or face to face communication would be required within spheres of CMC to aid a full understanding of messages sent and received on CMC platforms.

THEORY -SOCIAL INFORMATION PROCESSING THEORY
Social Information Processing Theory which was propounded in 1992 by Joseph Walter explicates the premise that humans use computer mediated communication to build interpersonal relationships over a period of time online (Walther, 2015;Littlejohn & Foss, 2012, p897). The theory proposes that individuals in an online interactive capacity become used to the absence of nonverbal cues while engaging with a communicative medium that is text based or limited to textual symbols. As a resultant effect, a lot more time is often required in such CMC systems to build and achieve similar levels of closeness one will possibly obtain through face to face communication (Walther, 2015). In detail, communicators utilize verbal cues available on CMC platforms to convey social and relational messages. This consequently lengthens the time it takes for communicators to achieve a meaningful relationship similar to Face to face relationship where one CMC channel is used to build a closeness (Littlejohn & Foss, 2012, p897-899) In line with the theory adopted, the perspective of this essay will build on the understanding that CMC platforms have not been able to totally replicate the successes of face to face communication. The understanding here is derived from the very idea that it takes more time on CMC to build a relationship compared to what is obtainable in reality due to CMC's inability to properly capture non-verbal cues or emotional aspects embedded in communication In the context of this study, it is pertinent that we highlight that reconstructing the emotional aspects of CMC as compared with human relationship implies reorganizing, reforming and proposing better ways to capture and transmit precise expressions of emotions and feelings between interlocutors on CMC platforms and in time (spontaneously) as it is in reality.
If this is the case or the trajectory of the question, then it could be beneficial to highlight the elements powering the successes of one on one human relationship as already treated and applying these elements to existing components of Computer Mediated Communication. In essence, identifying elements that makes face to face communication effective and attempting to transfer all the observed emotional and some important nonverbal aspects of F2F (missing in CMC) into a CMC environment may help in reconstructing and ensuring that CMC replicates the successes of real life interactional and transactional moments.

Reconstructing Emotional Aspects of Computer Mediated Communication Vis-À-Vis Human Relationship
To aid a reconstruction of the emotional aspects of CMC vis-à-vis human relationship, It is vital that this paper tracks down and highlights CMC's current nature and progress up to date and find ways CMC may have to borrow or further inculcate some aspects of F2F communication in addition to existing elements already added to help the case of CMC in properly capturing and transmitting all aspects/elements of communication. Although Computer mediated communication may not possess the capability to totally replicate similar experiences obtained in Face to Face communication situations (Hancock et al, 2008), studies such as that of  and Kafetsios et al (2017) has demonstrated that computer mediated communication has advanced as technology is emerging and improving. This advancement is primarily hinged on the emergence and successes of emoticons as highlighted in the study of (Ahn et al, 2011, p429), that showed that the use of emoticons in CMC have been scientifically proven to aid the closeness of CMC to real life interactions between individuals. This is to say that emoticons do not only aid comprehension, they also serve as nonverbal substitutes suggestive of facial expression and can totally replace text and still independently convey meaning , p843, Huang et al, 2008.
While the theory of Social Information Processing (SIP) has explained that with time, humans inevitably express thoughts, attitudes and feelings in text based interaction with their diction, timing and punctuations (Walther, 1992cited in Hancock et al, 2008, coupled with the advancement the paper has identified as the move from text based CMC to the adoption of emoticons to aid comprehension and convey facial expression and some nonverbal cues; a lot more has been discovered and added to existing features on text and emoticon based communication platforms, to advance CMC and dynamically enable the capturing and transmission of emotional expressions as well as the requirements needed to understand the context and mood at any moment between communicators in a chat instance. Realistically, Information and communication technology (CMC), especially in the sphere of social media platforms are offering individuals additional features aligned towards replicating features obtainable in face to face communication. These attempts to capture emotional and non-verbal aspects of face to face communication evident in the infusion of emoticons/emojis, articons, GIF images, images and animated cartoons within online chat environments have advanced an understanding of the mood, emotions and feelings between interlocutors within a communicative context. These changes and advancements are also reconstructing emotional aspects of computer mediated communication because they are adding new and exciting ways humans can communicate and to some extent understand and comprehend messages and the underlying meanings embedded in non-verbal cues in instances of communication. Lately, social media platforms and online chat environments have also added user focused cameras also known as 'selfie' camera functions for which most individuals utilize within split seconds to capture and send emotions encapsulated in images or videos. These are paradigm shifts from what was obtainable -a reconstruction of standards as well as the addition of features needed to aid an understanding of newly highlighted aspects of communication. But then, what is also lacking with regards to CMC's inability to fully capture emotional aspects and non-verbal cues on CMC platforms; is the dynamismwhich is the swift emotional transitions evident in a face to face conversation. The swift emotional transition is the changes in feelings and emotions that individuals experience in a conversation e.g. a person is laughing now, gets serious in the next few seconds, cries, becomes sad and is depressed consecutively due to the messages received and sent in one enacted instance of one on one communication. Also, another fundamental element of concern is on the list of emoticons provided to carter for expression of emotions. Aside the basic emotions, the list of emoticons across various platforms are often limited to key or universally perceived emotions. Not much has been done to carter for other expressions and complex emotions. These shortcomings may be due to the individual's decision to hide some emotional aspects of an instance of CMC or inadequacies evident in the software application, perception of other emotions as less important or irrelevant or probably the level of technological advancement.
Nevertheless, the basic emoticons may suffice for text based CMC; but from a multimedia CMC perspective, audio visual powered platforms such as Skype should be the ideal being that it gives interlocutors a window view of what is ideal in reality and although touch (haptics) may be missing, it becomes the nearest to f2f communication. Alternatively, the user focused camera on cell phones and most mobile gadgets may be required to go live (with the consent of the user) during chat sessions to aid individuals read facial expressions and tone of voice where audio or mixed methods I.e. text and audio-visual based methods are adopted on CMC platforms. Although much of the non-verbal aspects of communication would have been captured, gestures may become a challenge where individuals are typing. This restricts some emotional aspects of human communication from being fully displayed and captured. These types of shortcomings have been the reason why scholars such as Perry (2010); Johnson et al (2000); Lee (2010) have proposed or implied that CMC may never be as effective as face to face relationships and conversations in transfer of meaning and comprehension in communication. Reasons have also bordered on technologies not being able to transfer affection or the warmth of human touch which builds trust, truth and understanding (Vanderkam, 2015). This stance is further exemplified in a University of Chicago research where the findings revealed that Handshaking increases the chances of cooperative deal making (Schroeder et al, 2014).
If emotional messages embedded in gestures can be sensed through words or text, then text may suffice in this context. Also, adopting audio visual options will further replicate real face to face instances in communication. Where an individual chooses to avoid typing, a device accessory can be used to hold communication device in place for videos to capture and transmit physical and observable features within the enacted context of communication. Swapping from purely text based CMC to multimedia avenues with an array of options to help convey emotions e.g. emojis, images, text, audio, cartoon stickers etc. will further advance the case of CMC and aid the capturing and transfer of underlying emotional aspects domiciled in verbal and mostly non-verbal sides of communication sent and received during instances of communication.

A Perspective On The Human Person And Its Preferences As Determinant And Driver Of Technology's Use.
The perspective on reconstructing emotional aspect of computer mediated communication vis-à-vis human relationship has to this point emphasized the adoptions of better approaches and features on CMC platforms to ensure CMC becomes as close and similar as it can be to F2F communication in capturing and transmitting nonverbal cues. But then, to balance the dominant perspective, it is also important that the paper looks at the human person as the agent engaging these technologies. An individual may require some level of maturity or emotional intelligence to properly utilize the features made available to communicate with other individuals on CMC spheres. The case here is that understanding what, when, where and how to use the nonverbal features e.g. emoticons, etc. as well as the verbal elements to communicate and when not to use these available features within different settings to communicate, makes all the difference in also reconstructing emotional aspects of CMC as compared with human relationship. The point here being that, as is often obtainable in most real life instances, the ability to plan and critically foresee the effect, impact or aftermath of certain communication choices or the weight of responding to or not to a message will often help in driving communication towards a desired result or outcome. How one responds to a message also sets, emphasize or highlights the context, nature and manner of communication, extent or level of maturity or emotional intelligence attained by an individual. This ability to manage, construct and manipulate the inputs and outcomes of communication is the needed character or behaviour required of everyman while engaging CMC spheres. In essence, properly managing self, being composed and calculated while varying the manner and level of indulgence with CMC spheres as a measure for demonstrating competence and sensitivity towards other's needs on CMC platforms touches on the very fabric of reconstructing emotional aspects of communication and even CMC sphere towards mirroring real life human relationships and probably advancing the course and ethics of CMC.
Furthermore, varying degrees of anonymity and reservation as an online practise may be beneficial in managing different types of communication. The point here is that an individual may want to maintain some level of anonymity, secrecy or reservation i.e. hiding observable features about his/her identity and behaviour that can help another participant use non-verbal cues to judge his/her behaviour just from observation. Exploiting the status quo or weaknesses of CMC to hide and communicate behind a screen has its benefits which people with low self-esteem have utilized to communicate. For instance, currently, people with low self-esteem have been known to anonymously make friends and communicate freely, thus gradually building self confidence in the process (Forest and Wood, 2012). This feat is commendable but may soon not be an option as CMC spheres are increasingly capturing data, pushing for proper self-identification and submission of personal information for one to be known as a member on these online communication platforms (Constine, 2018). The argument here is that the leeway for one to remain reserved and anonymous or not to other users within online communicative spheres must not be reversed as has been the new trend towards policy amendment. Where details of a user has already been submitted during social media, email or blog account creation processes, one has already identified self and should be granted the freedom to operate his/her personal account in line with moral and social standards and in agreement with certain freedom rights that should have also been reflected in the user's terms of agreement for using any CMC platform or software. With these rights to freedom, one can further flexibly or concretely decide his/her level of indulgence in CMC as it relates to people and relationships. I.e. choose to be strict or flexible in managing identity, privacy issues and issues of self-disclosure in line with moral and personal standards. This autonomy over flexibility in approaches to engaging with CMC is in itself reconstructing emotional aspects of computer mediated communication as it also mirrors the freedom humans have to behave in different ways that can conceal or give off their intentions in an enacted instance of communication. The adoption of this user focused right to freely use CMC software may further aid nearness of CMC to F2F communication.

Conclusion
The move from purely text-based platforms to multimedia spheres have revolutionized the way humans communicate and express feelings and emotions. Thus far, CMC has powered new friendship and relationships, it has enabled family, friends and acquaintances communicate irrespective of time and space. It has also enabled organizations communicate and manage information with varying degrees of precision. Further advancement in communication technologies will aid a deeper understanding of messages sent and received on these platforms as well as an understanding of the undertones embedded in messages. Along this line, a reconstruction of emotional aspects of computer mediated communication vis-à-vis human relationship has been focused on adopting better methods and approaches to ensuring that CMC attains nearness to F2F communication. In essence, finding and proposing efficient ways to ensure that non-verbal cues as well as emotional aspects of communication are properly captured and transmitted in every enacted instance of CMC. The paper has pointed to trends towards reconstruction of existing paradigms. Furthermore, the reconstruction has guided the paper to proposing a method that primarily mirrors F2F communication. This proposed video call format will enable interlocutors engage in communication as they would in real life but with the absence of touch. In adopting this approach in CMC, other add-ons have been proposed to flexibly guide engagement with these platforms.
Humans as users of technology, their identity and ever-changing moods have also been highlighted as the core driver and determinant of technology's use. Thus, emotional intelligence is a prerequisite for engaging in CMC. Additionally, self-awareness and freedom to remain anonymous or not and to adopt personal, moral and platform specific guidelines in engaging these technologies to manage identity, privacy, self-disclosure would be classified as an angle aiding individuals further reconstruct nearness of CMC to F2F communication.