Cambridge University Press Relating Through Technology: Everyday Social Interaction (Advances in Personal Relationships)

This book answers one of the most critical questions of our time, does the vast connectivity afforded by mobile and social media lead to more personal connection with one another? It offers an evidence-based account of the role of technology in close relationships that confronts such pressing questions as where face-to-face communication belongs in this digital age, whether social media is harmful to our well-being, and how online communication spills-over into our offline communication and relationships. Each chapter explores the positive and negative influences of media on relationships, coalescing into a balanced assessment of how technological advancement has altered our connections with each other. By zeroing in on communication with the most important people in our lives and tracing the changes in computer-mediated communication over time, Relating Through Technology focuses the conversation about media on its use in our everyday lives and relationships. Review 'We have been given an accessible, grounded view on how new media does and does not change the fundamentals of relating. Hall's survey of the field provides the most thorough analysis to date and will be required reading for anyone seeking to understand the science of contemporary personal connection.' Nancy Baym, Senior Principal Researcher, Microsoft'This is a thought-provoking contribution to our understanding of the nexus between relationships and technology. Jeffrey Hall integrates seemingly unrelated threads in an easy-to-understand manner. The result is a breath of fresh air and should be read by academics as well as those new to the topic.' Artemio Ramirez, Professor, Assistant Director, and Director of Graduate Studies, University of South Florida'Jeffrey Hall expertly reviews classic and emerging theories alongside cutting-edge research on relationships in the digital age. The result is a brilliant perspective on the complexities of personal media in everyday interactions. This book is a must read for anyone interested in how technology facilitates human connection.' Liesel Sharabi, Assistant Professor of Communication, West Virginia University'The book is a must read for students and scholars of interpersonal communication and technology. The author provides an essential guide for the burgeoning research literature on technology and personal relationships that will inspire and advise new studies for years to come.' Scott Caplan, Associate Professor of Communication and Director of the Undergraduate Program, University of Delaware'This volume integrates and balances the important areas of relational and mediated communication. It reflects a growing aspect of communication scholarship and the way many relational partners interact today. The writing style is informative for scholars and approachable for those new to the topic, which is no small feat.' Jennifer L. Bevan, Professor of Communication, Chapman University'Here is a comprehensive study of technology use in relationships that is both novel and timely. This book offers insight into the fundamental relational concepts that ground communication technology use. It has superb, heuristic value and is sure to inspire researchers now and in the future.' Erin Ruppel, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Book Description This book offers a balanced, evidence-based account of the role of mobile and social media in personal relationships. About the Author Jeffrey A. Hall is Professor of Communication Studies at University of Kansas, USA. He is the founding Editor of the journal, Human Communication and Technology, and won the 2015 Early Career Award from the Interpersonal Division of the National Communication Association.