Court Me on the Phone, Ditch Me over E-mail: How Do Channel Choices Vary Based on Different Relational Goals?

Authors:

• Brandon Van Der Heide (Michigan State University)
• David K. Westerman (West Virginia University)
• Katherine Ann Klein (Michigan State University)

Abstract:

The current research hypothesized that channels that allow greater control of self-presentations will be more likely to be used to avoid relational escalation, and that channels that offer less self-presentational control will be more likely used for relational escalation. 225 participants responded to hypothetical situations with their likelihood to use a variety of channels. Respondents were more likely to use channels that allow greater self-presentational control to deliver avoidance messages.