Text friendly confessions
People are more honest in a text message than in person, says a recent study.
What makes confessions of any sort,
for that matter revealing what’s there in your mind with absolute honesty
simpler through an SMS? Is it the qwerty that did the magic or is it the power
of technology as a facilitator to come upfront with your straightforward talk?
What makes a recent study more interesting is the finding that texting acts as
a means to express yourself honestly. A study, carried out in the US by University
of Michigan Institute for
Social Research established that people are more honest in text messages than
in voice conversations.
The findings suggested that people are likely to disclose sensitive information via text messages than in person. Seconding the study, psychologist Hansal Bachech says, “Writing is a balanced way of communication. One gets the time to channelise your thoughts without getting carried away by the direct presence of receiver.” He adds that another reason why people tend to be more truthful over texting is, “the by passing of emotional response. There is lack of any immediate emotions like shame, guilt as there won’t be any prompt or mid-way reactions to what you’re saying .”
Shweta Mishra, a young student, has had a first hand experience of the same when she ended a relationship over a text message. She says, “When I shifted to a new city for my job, I realised that the long distance relationship with my boyfriend back home wasn’t working. I knew I couldn’t have ever said it on his face, especially the part that I needed someone by my side in a new place. I also doubt how much he would have let me speak at a stretch. Sending a text explaining it all was a much better option.”
Aarti Singh, a commerce student, received a message of a break-up which read ‘it’s over’ on her cell phone from her ex. “When we met for the last time before he broke up, I had sensed that he wanted to say something which he just couldn’t,” says Singh.
While break-ups find an easy platform with text messages, there are other situations where some feel, the text message helps a lot. Shefali Sharma chose a text message while quitting her job. “I was looking for the most impersonal way,” she explains, “It wouldn’t have been easy to say in person that I was not getting job satisfaction. The text message let me avoid a face off with my boss,” says Sharma.
Clinical psychologist Kamayani Mathur says, “Haven’t we all heard of love letters,” she says adding, “Text messages are the replacement of the same. The fear of rejection is not there in nonverbal communication. It’s also easy to manipulate the translation of your written word than what you express in person. So, it gives one confidence to be frank.”
MIND GAME
Text messaging is the most preferred method of communication among teens Answers of respondents in text are more “satisfying”; a research term suggesting easy, rapid and instinctive replies Even when in very distracting environments like shopping malls or sports stadiums, people are more honest and thoughtful in their messages
The findings suggested that people are likely to disclose sensitive information via text messages than in person. Seconding the study, psychologist Hansal Bachech says, “Writing is a balanced way of communication. One gets the time to channelise your thoughts without getting carried away by the direct presence of receiver.” He adds that another reason why people tend to be more truthful over texting is, “the by passing of emotional response. There is lack of any immediate emotions like shame, guilt as there won’t be any prompt or mid-way reactions to what you’re saying .”
Shweta Mishra, a young student, has had a first hand experience of the same when she ended a relationship over a text message. She says, “When I shifted to a new city for my job, I realised that the long distance relationship with my boyfriend back home wasn’t working. I knew I couldn’t have ever said it on his face, especially the part that I needed someone by my side in a new place. I also doubt how much he would have let me speak at a stretch. Sending a text explaining it all was a much better option.”
Aarti Singh, a commerce student, received a message of a break-up which read ‘it’s over’ on her cell phone from her ex. “When we met for the last time before he broke up, I had sensed that he wanted to say something which he just couldn’t,” says Singh.
While break-ups find an easy platform with text messages, there are other situations where some feel, the text message helps a lot. Shefali Sharma chose a text message while quitting her job. “I was looking for the most impersonal way,” she explains, “It wouldn’t have been easy to say in person that I was not getting job satisfaction. The text message let me avoid a face off with my boss,” says Sharma.
Clinical psychologist Kamayani Mathur says, “Haven’t we all heard of love letters,” she says adding, “Text messages are the replacement of the same. The fear of rejection is not there in nonverbal communication. It’s also easy to manipulate the translation of your written word than what you express in person. So, it gives one confidence to be frank.”
MIND GAME
Text messaging is the most preferred method of communication among teens Answers of respondents in text are more “satisfying”; a research term suggesting easy, rapid and instinctive replies Even when in very distracting environments like shopping malls or sports stadiums, people are more honest and thoughtful in their messages
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