The Research On Interpersonal Perception In Bulletin Board Systems

In the past seven decades, many researchers have examined interpersonal perception under face-to-face environments, but few of them ever investigated Internet environments. This research is aimed to examine the characteristics of interpersonal perception in BBS, including accuracy of interpersonal perception (self-other agreement ), and moderators of accuracy. The participants were recruited from the BBS which I created. They need to use the MBTI to evaluate themselves and others they choose as targets. Three of them were chosen for case study.The results on accuracy of interpersonal perception in BBS showed that: (1)Most participants' self-other agreement is accurate on 2 and 3 dimensions.(2) The accurate rate of mental function is lower than the disaccuracy. (3)The rate of self-other agreement is highest on T-F dimension, whereas the lowest on E-I dimension. (4)lnterpersonal perception on Feeling and Perceiving is more accurate, whereas Introvert is less accurate.The results on moderators of interpersonal perception in BBS showed that:(l)The major moderators of E-I dimension are: targets' BBS experience, educational level and type, as well as the perceiver's judgment of others on this dimension.(2) The major moderators of S-N dimension are: perceiver's type, perception and the similarity between perceiver and target.(3) The major moderators of T-F dimension are: the perception of perceiver. (4) The major moderators of J-P dimension are: the perception of perceiver, the similarity on mental function between perceiver and target, and the level of acquaintance. (5) The major moderators of mental function are: the perception of perceiver, and the similarity between perceiver and target. (6)The case study found that different moderators contribute to different processes of interpersonal perception. (7) In general, the moderators which influence the interpersonal perception covering four aspects: target, perceiver, the perception of perceiver, and the similarity between two. Stereotype, projection, and hallo effect are also found in this research.