Mobile Dream Telling

Forced Eavesdropping

There is ongoing research into the effects of mobile phones on social interactions and public space. A number of interesting studies and experiments have been conducted. Here is a summary of the research from the Department of Psychology, University of York, UK into the pressing question 'Why are mobile phones annoying?

• Content or volume is annoying because of the way people choose to use their mobile phones
• Excessive loudness, intrusive ring tones
• Something inherently more noticeable and annoying about hearing one side of a mobile phone conversation
• Goffman – social interaction and dramatic performance, presentation of self to a passive secondary audience (bystanders) as well as the active primary audience (interlocutor)
• Speaker may have performative intent for both the receiver of the call and the bystander overhearing it
• Obligation of the bystanders to act as an audience. Through the medium of the mobile phone a self-serving and flattering presentation of self may be foisted onto an unwilling audience evident from various urban legends in which people fake calls to impress others
• Effect of narrative. When hearing a conversation, and a story being told, narrative is a deeply compelling tool of communication, forcing us to become involved sometimes unconsciously.
  

Andrew Monk, Jenni Carroll, Sarah Parker, Mark Blythe
Department of Psychology, University of York
Behaviour and Information Technology, Jan-Feb 2004, vol.23, no 1. 33-41

posted by joanna @ 3:01 PM