Modulating Synchronicity in Computer Mediated Communication

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) researchers often cite a dichotomy that distinguishes synchronous and asynchronous media. We examine the historical development of this bifurcated classification, as well as present evidence about the manner CMC media is actually used in the field. We speculate about the evolutionary and biological basis for this behavior. We suggest that synchronicity should not be treated as a dichotomy, but rather as a continuum ranging from the highly synchronous, to the highly asynchronous. In addition, we propose that the traditional treatment of synchronicity as an attribute of the medium should be reevaluated. We should treat synchronicity as an attribute of the conversation, not of the medium. These claims have implications on theories in which medium synchronicity plays an important role, and the Media Richness Theory is examined as a test case. Moreover, given that synchronicity is a continuous parameter modulated through decisions of communicators, we examine the way these decisions on synchronicity are taken, propose a theory of synchronicity modulation, and discuss the synchronicity trade-off principle. Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) media is traditionally divided into two categories: synchronous media (e.g. instant messaging, chat) and asynchronous media (e.g. email, discussion board). Recent trends, as well as findings about the manner in which users actually utilize CMC technologies, show that communication media are actually used at varying levels of synchronicity, and not at only one level; that there are intermediary levels of synchronicity ranging from the highly synchronous to the highly asynchronous; and, that the level of synchronicity is not only a function of the medium being used, but also of decisions taken by users. In this paper, we describe the trends that have blurred the dichotomy between synchronous and asynchronous communication, and present evidence that conversational synchronicity is modulated by the communicators, to adjust to changing circumstances and constraints, and that this modulation is carried out by employing assorted features of the media at their disposal, and/or by moving a conversation to a medium that has the required features. We speculate about the reasons for the human preference for high synchronicity, and discuss its implications. A history of the concept of medium synchronicity