Dissertation
Attribution formation, media effects, and communication mindfulness in virtual world environments: An application of Brunswik's Lens Model
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
05/2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000006179
Abstract
Whether in social or businesses interactions in virtual worlds, attributions play a key role in shaping user behaviors. This research draws on Social Judgment Theory, and specifically Brunswik's Lens Model, to explain how attributions can be formed in these environments. Essay 1 introduces the Brunswik Lens Model as well as providing a theoretical grounding for the communication mindfulness construct and the cue categories that are investigated in the remaining portions of the dissertation. We posit that criterion reality (the objective reality associated with an individual or business) is represented through four broad virtual world cue categories: avatar appearance, avatar behavior, avatar surroundings, and general interface characteristics. We then discuss how these four cue categories are used to influence the formation of attributions. In addition, we discuss the moderating influence that media effects have on criterion ecological validity (the ability of the cues to accurately represent reality) as well as the moderating effect that communication mindfulness has on cue utilization validity (the ability of an individual to interpret cues). In essay 2 we conduct a psychometric evaluation of mindfulness and develop and test the communication mindfulness construct. Compelling support was found for a three-factor construct based on mindfulness while sending information, receiving information, and a sensitivity to the media in use. Finally, in essay 3 we conduct a study within a virtual world environment where we manipulate avatar appearance and behavior and the storefront characteristics to explore the effect of three of the four virtual world characteristics on trustworthiness perceptions. We found support for cues in these categories influencing trustworthiness though we failed to find empirical support for the effect of communication mindfulness on trustworthiness development.
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Details
- Title
- Attribution formation, media effects, and communication mindfulness in virtual world environments
- Creators
- Ronald Enns Pike
- Contributors
- Mark A. Fuller (Chair)David E Sprott (Committee Member)Craig David Parks (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Office of the Provost
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Carson College of Business
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 117
- Identifiers
- 99901055023301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation