I like the idea of using Facebook as an online space for impression formation, since (unlike most online spaces) impression formation is its reason for existence. But until recently, there wasn't a good way to meet random Facebook denizens in such a way that you could form an impression of them at all--the general practice is to use Facebook as a search tool for people you've already met in real life. Now that Facebook has decided to let amateur and professional software developers add their own applications, it's full of new ways to encounter new people. I logged into the Games app and told it I wanted to play checkers, and within ten seconds I was chatting with my new friend CC from Oklahoma.
(Before I start, CC, if you're reading this, please don't feel used. It was a great game, and we both know I didn't let you win. But now I have to describe the impression you left. Steel yourself.)
I started off by explaining to CC that she was going to lose, because I was a professional checkers player. She replied with an "lol," but when I told her that I had spent several summers at "checkers camp" she asked "wait are you serious?" I thought answering with "yeah, you can't even wear plaid shirts, they have to be checkered" would clear that up, but it didn't, and eventually I had to tell her that I was indeed lying through my teeth. (Fingers? Keyboard?)
I try not to jump to conclusions about people, but so far my impression of CC was that she was the sort of person who thought it possible for professional checkers players to graduate from checkers camp because they remembered not to wear plaid. Not fantastic news for my impression of her. To spell it out, CC, I didn't think you were very smart. Actually, I thought you were a little gullible, which led me to assume that you weren't very smart, and that's couching it in nice language. When I thought about it later, this pointed straight at the Hyperpersonal Theory and its over-attribution process. Of course, at the time, if you'd asked me if I was over-attributing, I think I would have claimed that my impression was completely logical.
But within about twenty moves, CC was legitimately destroying me at checkers. She had two kings already to my one, and my four remaining pieces were huddled in a pathetic diamond in the corner while her six non-kings were scattered across the board like a pack of hyenas moving in for the kill. Does that sound melodramatic? Well, it was a big emotional blow--my idiot opponent was embarrassing me in a pretty major way. At that point I tried to open a new window in Internet Explorer and the whole program crashed, so I sent her a message: "Sorry, my computer crashed. You were totally winning though. Guess the bravado fell though." Soon she responded with "You set yourself up for it. It's ironic, really." That was an interesting and well-phrased reply, in my opinion--not an answer I would have expected from Checkers Camp CC, who believed every ridiculous word I typed, but pretty typical coming from Checkers Champ CC, who was probably the best checkers player on all of Facebook. I had had to change my opinion pretty drastically over the course of maybe twenty minutes, because that opinion was based on a high-intensity interpretation of the the only attribute of CC that I had seen.
And by the way, Blue-rade, before you post your comment about how my current opinion of CC's checkers ability may be over-attributed as well just because she bested me once, you should know that I'm pretty good at checkers myself. I'm a professional.
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3 comments:
I find this post very interesting because I have had a Couple similar experiences. I was attracted because of the title. "Props" to those of you with creative titles. I don't know if "props" is formal enough, but I'm done blabbering. To the point...
In my small experience in online gaming, I've found that many people who appear dumb or novice, are actually quite smart and/or experienced. I grew up in a household with a rather slow internet connection. Until about 3 years ago, I was still using 28k or 56k or something not DSL or cable.
I was intrigued and excited by my friends Xbox connection to the internet in 7th or 8th grade, where I had my first of these experiences in a 1st-person shooting game.
I find that the theories we have discussed in class deal mainly with first impressions, and that impressions over time may not only be altered, but may be 180 degrees different. We have touched on the time aspect but I hope more detail will be discussed throughout the semester.
Your very 1st impression was rather hyperpersonal, but you managed to change it over time. I wonder, too, was your "CRASH" on purpose because you were losing. Maybe Freud would say even unconsciously? Maybe a little bit? I admire that you managed to admit that you were losing because, if it were me, I would never have posted that in public. I guess I'm just not confident in my manliness?
Hi Joshua,
Your post was interesting and well-written. Out of curiosity, have you ever written for a school newspaper (college or high school)? I actually played an online game myself for this assignment (World of Warcraft...see my post!) and found that initially, it wasn't very 'n00b' friendly. However, after playing the game for a while and honing my warrior skills, I gained confidence in myself as well as the confidence of others. Apparently more people will talk to you if you're a Level 3 warrior, and along the same lines, people will think more highly of you when you beat them at checkers. The initial idea, springing from Hyperpersonal theory, that someone is a nit-wit online is changed quickly enough once they have shown perseverance or proven their skills.
Have you wondered what CC's impression may be of you? If Hyperpersonal theory in fact does hold true, perhaps she first believed you to be Checkers Master of the World (again, she doesn't have any other cues to work from aside from what you type). However after a few minutes of playing the game with you and having your checker pieces begging for mercy, she may have perceived you as an overly cocky individual. I'm certainly not saying that you are either of these things in any way, but it sure is something to think about in terms of the Hyperpersonal model. :)
I would like to start off by thanking you, Ken, for making this assignment a little more fun to complete. You, as opposed to bimbo CC, have got great online (first) impression skills; your witty writing style and amusing recount of the situation lead me to believe within minutes of reading that you are funny and smart – even if you do stink at checkers.
Meeting someone online for the first time, as opposed to through another means of communication, it is tough to draw an accurate portrayal of them. It is particularly difficult when you are wrong, and must do it for a second time. So, here is my question to you: if you were to meet CC in person, do you think it would be hard for you to give up your initial impression? “The first impression is the only impression” is a phrase I have heard more than once before, and I am wondering now if it applies as well to an online chat as it might to the first date or job interview. With such strong judgments in place due to the Hyperpersonality of the situation, would you ever really be able to go into your first encounter with CC with a blank slate?
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