Alexander Riddle

Professor Maura Cherney

Communications and Technologies 3400

5 October 2017

Communication Technologies: Savior or Demise?

It is very rare to find a human being today in the year 2017 whose life has not been

impacted by technology in some way. With each passing day, advancements in technology,

specifically communication technologies, are made consistently. As a result, technology has

become so integrated within our culture, human beings rarely notice these changes. However,

even if these changes might go unnoticed today, this is not true for introductions of

communication technologies in the past. Many different communication technologies have had

many different impacts on the lives of human beings both positive and negative. As such,

humans have reacted to these changes both positively and negatively.

In a study done by Lennart Magnusson, Elizabeth Hanson, and Martin Borg on

information and communication technology as support for older citizens, many positive benefits

came from integrating communication technologies such as telecare information and support

services. Studies highlighted the positive responses of caregivers to the opportunity of having

telephone support (Magnusson, Hanson, and Borg, 2004). Professional carers are usually in

charge of providing help through telecare services. They provide counselling and support for

families who may be having a hard time dealing with frail older family members. Additionally,

they promote optimal coping and reduce caregiver stress. So, as can be seen clearly in this

study, communication technology uniquely positive ways to impact the lives of many.
 Nevertheless, not all technology delivers the positive outcome which technology

promises. In a study done by M. L. Markus on the effects of electronic communication on the

social life within the workplace, specifically HCP Inc. Within the study, Markus found that many

HCP respondents found that using email, a form of communication technology that is widely

used across the globe, made the workplace less social. In fact, 62% of workers for HCP that

participated within the study agreed that if they didnt use email, they would feel like an outsider

(Markus, 2004). Thus, not all communication technologies are capable of more than bringing

about positive change to society. They are indeed capable of creating social division and feelings

of isolation.

Now, after reading different studies about both the positive and negative impressions that

communication technologies have on our ever growing and ever changing society, it is hard to

truly make a judgement call on whether or not communication technology is going to lead to the

eventual demise of society. However, after reading over both case studies referenced previously,

I noticed a philosophy that was commonly mentioned. Technology is simply a medium. It is

simply a tool in which to achieve the users desired outcome. And so, based off of this belief, I

am going to take a stance and say that technology will not lead to the demise of our society.

Communication between humans has always taken different forms. For example,

Interpersonal communication, mass mediated communication, even mass personal

communication, a combination of the two, to name a few. All of these are made easier by

integrating new and improving communication technologies. Social media, mobile phones,

computers, tablets, devices like these make it easier for humans to communicate amongst one

another and evolve the link between ourselves. As mentioned in Chapter 1 of Introduction to
Mediated Communication 2nd Edition, ...newer technologies have allowed for many

channels. (Westerman, 2017, pg. 9).

Communication technologies allow for us to stay connected to people around the world.

They allow for us to stay connected to family members that we otherwise might otherwise not be

able to communicate with. They create an experience in which we can hear others voices and see

others faces, despite the miles and miles in between. Furthermore, the argument might be made

that allowing for technology to play such a big role in communication may have a negative

impact. However, if we take a look at Shannon-Weavers model of communication and the many

components that make up the model. Technology makes every step of communication easier and

more controlled. Additionally, as mentioned in John Bargh and Katelyn McKennas study on the

internet and social life, a study was done on Pittsburgh families in the mid 1990s followed by

Kraut et al. whose results showed that, the more hours the average respondent spent on the

Internet, the more (not less) time he or she also spent face-to-face with family and friends.

(Bargh and Mckenna, 2003, pg. 580). So, studies have proven that with the increase of time with

technology integrated within a family household, the amount of time spent face-to-face with the

same family members increases accordingly.

In conclusion, while communication technologies over time have presented both positive

and negative impacts ranging from care taking of the elderly or creating a social divide within

the workplace, the fact still remains that technology plays an important role in a society that is

constantly changing. Simply put, it makes the lives of millions of people better. It connects us to

human beings across the globe that we otherwise wouldnt be able to reach. It makes

communicating easier and more convenient. And, it has proven to increase the value of
face-to-face contact. Technology will certainly not lead to the demise of society. Quite the

opposite in fact.
 References

Bergstrm, A. L., & Hanson, E. (2017). An integrative review of information and

communication technology based support interventions for carers of home dwelling older

people. Technology and Disability, 29(1-2), 1-14. doi:10.3233/tad-160158

Markus, M. L. (1996). Finding a Happy Medium: Explaining the Negative Effects of Electronic

Communication on Social Life at Work. Computerization and Controversy, 490-524.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-415040-9.50122-6

Mckenna, K. Y., & Bargh, J. A. (1999). Causes and Consequences of Social Interaction on the

Internet: A Conceptual Framework. Media Psychology, 1(3), 249-269.

doi:10.1207/s1532785xmep0103_4

Westerman, D., Bowman, N. D., & Lachlan, K. A. (2016). Introduction to Mediated

Communication Social Media and Beyond (2nd ed.). Kendall Hunt Pub Co.