Anonymity and Online Self-Disclosure: A Meta-Analysis. (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clark-Gordon, Cathlin V.; Bowman, Nicholas D.; Goodboy, Alan K.; Wright, Alyssa
• Is Part Of: Communication reports. Volume 32:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Anonymity -- Benign Disinhibition -- Meta-Analysis -- Self-Disclosure; Communication -- Research -- Periodicals; Communication -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1080/08934215.2019.1607516
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0893-4215

Abstract

Abstract : When an individual is anonymous online, they may communicate more boldly than they would in a face-to-face situation—a phenomenon called the online disinhibition effect. While much is known about the toxic effects of online disinhibition, social effects (such as self-disclosure) receive less scholarly attention. This meta-analysis (k = 14, random effects assumed) examined the relationship between anonymity and online self-disclosure as a form of benign disinhibition. Results indicated anonymity had a positive average correlation with self-disclosure (r = .184). However, there was substantial heterogeneity across studies that could not be explained by moderators including type of anonymity (visual or discursive), the measure of self-disclosure (self-report or content analysis), or the type of interaction task (social, task, none present).