Being a part of a community whether it is online, or face-to-face is very important for us to grow as a person. Some may say face-to-face is a better form of communication while others think online is easier and works better for them. It is hard to really answer which way is better because it is based upon your own experiences and likes.
Now, I will say with face-to-face interactions, you get more of a sense of feel or emotion for the other person and/or people you are speaking to. This also allows us to show more of our own characteristics and be able to reach the party you want to. In the book it states, “Sense of community which refers to the degree to which community members feel a sense of belonging, etc.” This quote helps to relate to how face-to-face gives that sense of belonging in the community.
Online communities are harder to get the sense of self in the community. Being online could relate to just hearing your voice instead of seeing each other. It does not give a sense for the other person you are speaking to. If we focus on only using online interactions it could cause effects on actual interactions in the real world.
Both community styles of online and face-to-face have good and bad effects. Some people might have social anxiety and cannot speak to others unless its through a phone. On the other hand, if we only use online tools to speak to others in a community, we might often have a sense of not knowing how to interact face-to-face when we have to.
Gruman, J.A., Schneider, F.W., & Coutts, L.A. (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. Sage Publications.
Lesson 11 Blog Entry Dana Matuszkiewicz
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Hi Dana,
I really enjoyed reading your post and completely agree with your insights on the importance of community, whether online or face-to-face, in supporting personal growth. You’re right when you say that every kind of relationship has its own advantages and disadvantages, particularly when it comes to creating a feeling of community. The statement you provided regarding the “sense of community” from Gruman, Schneider, and Coutts (2017) also highlights how important it is for people to feel like they actually belong in their communities—a sentiment that is frequently easier to express in person.
Building from what you said, one other element to consider is the ways these different kinds of communities contribute to or affect mental health-especially for those with social anxiety disorder. For some, online communities offer a safer space or oasis to gradually develop social confidence without the pressure of face-to-face interaction (Andersson, 2018). Sometimes, though, as you’ve pointed out, relying exclusively on online interaction may actually decrease our ability to interact with others in person and might even lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Great blog post, you were clear and easy to understand.
Andersson, G. (2018). Internet interventions: Past, present, and future. Internet Interventions, 12, 181-188.
Gruman, J.A., Schneider, F.W., & Coutts, L.A. (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. Sage Publications.