RESEARCH PAPER

Introduction

In the times we live in today we are so reliable on our cell phone as a means of connection to the outside world. Especially when it comes to text messaging, whether it is our family or friends, we always seem to be glued to our phones. With this being said I am going to explore the effects texting has on relationships, this involving family and friends, and personal relationships.  I will discuss the negative and positive aspects of text messaging and also include other research that I have found important in regards to my subject matter.

I hope to engage my subject to entertain my questions to the fullest extent that can be made, in hopes of revealing the information I need to gather to answer my questions. With the research I am conducting I hope to find what is lost in translation through texting, and what seems to get misconstrued the most. I hope to explore what is lost through texting messaging, whether it is seeing the facial expressions and/or the tone of someone’s voice. I went into this study with high aspects of receiving much more negative effects than positive, especially in regards to personal relationships and texting.

Literature Review

In “Generation Txt? The sociolinguistics of young people’s text-messaging” ( Thurlow & Brown revised), one of my sources for this research project, they discuss something that I found to be quite interesting.  “Initially intended for purely commercial purposes, text-messaging is in fact yet another example of how the human need for social intercourse- a kind of ‘communication imperative’ – bends and ultimately co-opts technology to suit its own ends”. This going to show the need for a text message to be used as a connection to the human race from one person to another, text messaging is a somewhat easy way to talk to someone in a quick and shorten matter, or to even avoid any type of interaction or confrontation.

      “Language is always multifunctional and always dependent on context for its meaning. As such, it was not always possible to be certain of the meaning of some participants’ messages and even less so the communicative intent with which they were sent” (Thurlow & Brown). Going along with this idea, text messaging certainly loses its meaning in translation, while you can be sending a particular text with a certain point in mind, the person on the other end may take this message in a completely different way. This is a large part of my research and what I hope to gain more knowledge of through the subject I am interviewing.  Through this research process I hope to gain a stronger grasp on text messaging, and its effects on relationships, and possibly how things would be different if text messaging did not exist in our relationships today.

In an article from The Daily Journalist by Jaime Ortega Simo. “Merlo, Ph.D. in Psychiatry of University of Florida said “people have become more dependent on technology and there is a tendency to focus less effort on in-person interactions” This going along with my question of the effects on our relationships today, and the world being so reliable on their cell phones as a means of communication. I hope to be able to add to this research and discover if what other researchers have found deems to go along with my questions and concerns about text messaging and its possible everlasting effects on our relationships.They are so many resources out there in relation to this subject area, so I tried to chose the two that I was able to connect to the most.

Methods

I chose to interview a female subject who is 26 years old, text messaging is large part of this person’s life, and I wanted to see the effects it has on her and her relationships and lifestyle based on either sending or receiving text messages.

With regards to my research question, I felt conducting an interview would be my best means to gathering the information I would need to support my research question. One of most important parts of conducting an interview in regards to my subject matter was to be able to hear and see the reaction to the questions and answers I was receiving from my subject. The question and answer scenario provided me with information, and specific reactions to questions that I needed to help further my research project. I prepared my data by compiling a set of questions, beginning with the basics than leading into more in depth questions, that I knew would provide some strong facts and examples that would support my research question. After going through the series of approximately fifty questions, I ended with a wrap-up of the interview and asked for any last minute comments or opinions.

To conduct my interview I used a recorder to capture our entire interview of which took approximately 50 minutes to complete with some conversations in between particular questions that really caught the attention of my subject, and her personal relationships. As we went through the interview I noted for myself the times when my subject was affected by particular questions I was asking, whether it was facial expression, or even a pause before she went forward with her answers. After my interview was complete I transcribed my data and organized into sections the into particular categories that went along with my research question.

Presentation and Analysis of Data

I was able to organize my data into sections based on the questions I asked and the answers I received. After doing this I was able to see more clearly the variety of answers I received and was able to cycle the ones I found vital to my subject matter. I was able to pull out the answers my subject gave me and analyze them in much closer way, while keeping in mind her gestures and reactions to these particular questions. Texting is an often occurrence for my subject due to the fact that her and her significant other work opposite shifts and only see each other on the weekends, they somewhat rely on text messaging as a large means of communication throughout the day. Due to her situation with her boyfriend, she was able to express both the positive and negative aspects of texting, the positive which includes being able to send or receive a short message when they are unable to physically see each other.  The negative which I will discuss in my next section, is having text messaging being so readily available.

 When the idea of how relationships are affected by texting rather than speaking to someone face to face is questioned, we learn that a strain may be put on relationships when you lose that personal connection to someone. An example I pulled out of my interview data that I felt pertained to this idea:

R Have any of your personal relationships been affected by a particular text?
N yes, um this one time my boyfriend and I were talking about the holidays and his family, I had said we should spend Christmas just him and I because you know I have some issues with his family, I am not welcomed in his home, so I had said let’s just do you and me, and his reply through text was its Christmas and it’s my family so if you love me you’ll come,
I was so upset and hurt because he knows the history with his family, I got so upset I said you know what I hate you and your family, it was a whole big argument all in text message and ended up spending the  holiday a part and it sucked, it really hurt.

            With this one text message things appeared to be in a sense ruined and in a way not able to be fixed, especially without seeing what her boyfriend was feeling. I pulled out this particular data because it seems to be real and something many of us in this day and age are faced with especially due to the technology we have, and the somewhat too much of an easy access to our phones and text messaging right at our finger tips any time of the day. I went on to ask my subject how things could have been different if she had waited to speak to him in person.

R do you feel texting verses face to face conversation would have changed this situation? N definitely if we would have just talked, it would have been different, we could have seen each other’s hurt and body language, tone in his voice and the way he was saying things.

This chunk of conversation played a large part to my research information; it shows the affects that texting has on people in relationships, and how the outcome of an argument or disagreement can be altered due to not having face to face contact with the other person. The loss of this face to face connection to see the emotion and hear the other persons tone is what can play the negative side of texting.  My subject was able to give me a lot of feedback based on the questions I was asking, which helped to prompt her thoughts about this topic. Another aspect I explored as one of my interview questions was:

R Is it wrong to text the opposite sex when in a relationship?
N um it depends I have guy friends I’ll talk to once in a while, my boyfriend texts girls from work, occasional here and there is ok, but if you notice its  happening a lot, its fishy stop and think no this isn't going to happen , and talk about it, the other person may take it the wrong way.

I feel this is an important factor to include in my research especially because it is something that people are dealing with every day, having text messaging so readily available can in some ways be tempting in regards to talking to the opposite text while in a relationship. The negative aspect of this is the person on the other side of the phone may be taking your text messages in a completely different context then you intended. Another aspect of texting we discussed during the course of our interview was the the idea of texting your co-workers, I asked my subject:

           R Do you feel your tone changes when texting friends verses co-workers?

           N When your texting your nest friend, you can be you, say what you want and not have to worry, I think when you text a co-worker who is more of an acquaintance and you just have a social relationship with, you have to watch what you text and how you text it have to be careful not to offend or say something that can backfire.

Conclusion

            My research question focuses on the effects text messaging has on relationships, I was able to explore through my data of questions, and how text messaging really can have a negative strain on relationships. With the categories of questions I asked throughout my interview I was able to break down the effects text messaging can have on particular people, whether this involves an intimate relationship, friendships, or even work related text messages.  I was able to gain more knowledge on how text messaging can truly affect relationships, especially in the sense of not being able to see the other person’s gestures or facial expressions.

            With regards to my resources I was able to compare some of my findings to what they found in their research. Technology is an ever growing aspect of our lives, and will continue to grow as the years go on, we will have to adapt to something new with regards to text messaging, but the effects on them are everlasting. With the data I have gone through and categorized I have come to a conclusion that as senders of text messages we need to be careful how we word things especially to particular people in our lives. Positive messages can be turned into negative ones when things are so often misconstrued which then leads to disruptions in our relationships. People seem to be losing the sense of having face to face conversation and that closeness of seeing and hearing someone’s emotions as we speak to them, with the way technology is going this problem may never be resolved.

Works Cited

Thurlow & Brown (Revised). "Generation Txt? The Sociolinguistics of young people’s text-messaging." Http://faculty.washington.edu/thurlow. 2003. November 15, 2012 <>.http://faculty.washington.edu/thurlow/research/papers/Thurlow&Brown%282003%29.htm

Simo, Ortega, Jaime. “Experts agree text messages are bad for interaction and health”. The Daily Journal. 2012.  <http://thedailyjournalist.com/theacademic/experts-say-text-messages-are-bad-for-interaction-and-health/.

Blog 24:  Post a set of objectives for what you need to do to finish your project, and a list of questions regarding any areas where you want help.



To move forward with my research project I need to:

Organize all my information better
I want to categorize my data so I can make my paper flow
Have a stronger grasp of the "methods" section of the paper

BLOG 23

One focus that I know i will certainly include in my research paper is, the idea of how relationships are affected my texting and speaking to someone face to face. A strain is put on relationships when you lose that personal connection to someone.

R Have any of your personal relationships been affected  by a particular text?
N yes, um this one time my boyfriend and i were talking about the holidays and his family, i had said we should spand xmas just him and i becuase you know we have some issues with is family, i am not welcomed in his home, so i had said lets just do you and me, and his reply thru text was its xmas and its my family so if you love me youll come
i was so upset and hurt because he the history with his family i got so upset i said you know i hate you and your family , whole big argument and spent the holiday apart and it sucked it really hurt

R do you feel texting verses face to face conversation would have changed this situation?

N def if we would have just talked , it would have been different, we could have seen each others hurt and body language, tone in his voice and the way he was saying things.

This chunk of conversation will play a large part of my research information, it shows the affects that texting has on people in relationships, and how the outcome of an argument or disagreement can be altered due to not having  face to face connect with the other person. The loss of face to face connection to see the emotion and hear the other persons tone is what can play the negative side of texting. 

BLOG 22

Interview Data

R How old are you?
N  I am 26 years old

R Where did you grow up?
N  I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY

R What kind of cell phones have you had?

N um my first phone was a nextel, and thorugh the years ive had about 6 or 7 different ones, i currently have the i phone 4

R Do you like the i phone?
N I think its a wonderful , its touch,  and it works well

R Do you think youll upgrade to i phone 5?
N (laughs) If i can afford it

R ok. is texting a large part of everyday life?
N Absolutely i spend most of my texting, during work, im always on the go
 R How long have you had a cell phone?
N my first phone when i was 15, about 11 years now

R when you first got your phone was texting a large part?
 N No when growing up i was only allowed to use my phone for emergencies  so i started texting aroud 17, everyone got a  phone it was so cool

R do you always your phone or disconnect from the world?
N i am constantly on my phone, games apps, dont think ive shut my phone off unless i was at a funeral ( laughs) its real hard
R yes same here, batteies is always dead

R how many texts do you send per day about
N umm i guess about 50 -60, talk to my bf best friend , co workers, so about 50 -60

R do you think more at night or during the day, or is it about the same?
N um probaly during the day, usually quick text here or there constanly on my break.so mostly all day

R what cell phone services have you had?
N Verizon, they are pretty good, service is amazing been with them forever
R  now they are changing something with text messgaing
N yea no unlimited so that's gonna be a mess(laughing)

 What is the best phone for text messaging?
um personally i like the i phone or any touch phone, key board is there, you slide your finger and you get a sentence

R Um best phone serive for texting'?
N again verizon, just  from what I know, never had t mobile

R what texting plan do you have? if you know
N i have the unlimited texting, right now, with verizon changing dont know if i can adjust, go over limit

R how much is your monthly bill
N actually have family share plan with 3 phones so about 210. unlimited ,internet for all 3

R What type of charges do you get if you go over?
N well actually before i had unlimited i had only 4200 a month and i would go over i think it was $1.49 per text which is pretty expensive its a lot it adds up

R You take the bus to work?
N yea about a 2 hour ride so i text on the way to kill time,
R do you feel you word things in a particular way when you text?
N um i think everyone does you texting friends or family you can goofy you dont have to watch what you say, relaxed calm, co worker, boss you have to watch what you say, im sarcastic so sometimes i say something and ill offend them and not realize
R esp  cause its just words no visual
n of course 

 R how long have you been texting with friends and family?
N um like i said since i was 17-18, last years of high shcool into college thats when i was texting the most

R anyone you text the most?
n  i usually text my bf alot all day and my sister its easier way to say hey whats going on, better then picking up the phone, cant text my parents, very old fashion
R hopefully in the new year you can text them

R so next question any one you do not text?
N my parents, very old fashion,cant even get them to order a movie on the tv,

R any firends you feel you have to call or prefer a call?
N i have to say i text everyone,  my aunt is another who doesn't grasp it, shell try you get a few words  but call her anyhways

R do you feel texting affects your family esp your parents, missing out?
N of course my dad esocially, hes deaf, always asking to please show me how to text, its horrible i wanna show him, its letter by letter sometimes he gets it, great way to communicate with him

R  What do you like better about texting verses face to face talk?
N  um i feel textng is much easier faster way to communicate on a day to day basic , making plans, you dont have to worry about calling and them not picking up the phone, so much easier

R Have you ever had your words twisted or taken the wrong way in a test message
N yes things get twisted for instance me and my sister were ,making plans through text agreed on date and time said lets meet at this restaurant, set time and place, ended up meeting in two different cites, she was in freehold i was in old bridge.



R who is affected by your texting the most?
N umm i would say my boyfriend, i text him a lot we have hectic work schedules, so its the only time we get to talk, i have desk job so i can always answer him, his job he cant.


R have any of your personal relationships been affected by a particular text?
N yes um this one time my boyfriend and i were talking about the holidays, i said we should be just him and i, because i have issues with his family, and his reply through text was its Christmas and its my family so if you love me you'll come, i replied and said i hate you and your family, had a great big argument and we spent the holiday alone,



R Do you feel a face to face conversation would have changed this situation?
N def if we would have just sat there and talked, said lets start our own tradition, could have spent the holidays together, i could have seen his body language he could have seen me crying, tone in his voice, it affects the relationship


R Have you ever texted to avois face to face confrontation?
N one of my co workers he has a very unique personality kinda cant say stuff face to face so i send a text, he gets but if it says to his face he says i have a nasty tone , he responds in a positive way.

R Do you feel text messaging is too readily available?
N of course with this new technology, you just swipe your finger and in two seconds you are communicating with people all over the world.  you kinda hide behind your text messages, you cant hear their voice


R Do feel text messaging can be addicting?
N um in certain circumstances, depends who your texting, boyfriend all day long, friends here and there, some people get too caught up, not sure if its an addiction or obsession, kinda like your favorite show, you always have to watch it, you back off on texting your bf if hes out with friends


R Do you feel your tone changes when texting friends verses co-workers?
N yea again going back to before you have to watch what you say your in a work environment, you have to watch the way you words things may get offended


R Do you keep in touch with old friends/family through texting?
N um i def keep in touch with friends form high school, occasional text, they are busy so its easier. in regards to family just holidays, family in Italy so im close with my cousins there so we text, they have children, they send pictures through messages

R Do you feel texting gives a type of confort when you are away from friends/family?
N of course you like we said before you can see them as much as you want, sometimes its nice to stop for a second and you see a message from them and it warms your heart


R Do you think texting promotes or puts a strain on relationships?
N um you know when you spend all day texting your bf instead of just seeing them it can def put a strain, things get lost in translation, you need to be bale to see them touch them, see when they are upset, you need that physical connection. they can say something and you can be hurt by it, but they don't know how it makes u feel


R Do you feel like you are constantly checking your phone for a text message?
N umm yes. again always on my phone, text messages all day, friend sister brother bf, look at it a hundred times a day,


R Do you feel it is appropriate to have an argument through a text message?
N you know if you are going to let that happen, just pick up the phone and or talk to me face to face, i feel a lot of people hide begin a text, i want to hear your tone, pick up the phoneme and lets go have it put . if they get mad through a text they may just stop talking, rather then face to face you have to talk to me


R Does the lack of response from someone through text bother you? 
N absolutely esp when you are texting back and froth to someone and they don't answer, what happen did they fall off the face of the earth, or serious question all they say is i don't know or just "k" don't use it, its not a word, babe i love, and he says me too, really just use the extra letters and say i love you.


R is it appropriate to break up with someone via text?
 N no way, not acceptable  only person that would do that is someone who nerve cared about you, i don't care if he cheated or you cheated, be an adult face to face look at me in the eyes, same with me im not feeling it whatever the case is face to face its rude disrespectful and inconsiderate.

R Do you ever receive unwanted texts form a significant other while out with friends? 
N no um when im with my friends my bf respects that, just says have fun, when i get home ill text him but mostly text him just goodnight, so if hes sleeping he will get it in the morning you have to trust them, go out with your boys have fun, don't wanna be that girl always textiug


R Do you feel you send unwanted text to your significant other when they are out with friends?
N no we respect each other times, never had issue like that


R Is it wrong to text the opposite sex when in a relationship?
N um it depends i have guy friends ill talk to once in  while my boyfriend texts girls from work, occasional here and there is ok, but if you notice its  happening a lot, its fishy stop and think no this isn't gonna happen , and talk about it, other person mat take it the wrong way


R can texting help someone in a new relationship?
N i guess when you first start dating, can help keep things casual good start, and communicating. but when its get deeper you need to hear them rather then just text

R What are some tings that annoy you about texting?
N ugh i hate when i get a text with a bunch of slang, are you really that lazy you cant type it out like LMFAO ROFL, you cant forget the English vocab


R Do you feel texting is more prevalent among makes or females?
N umm i definitely think it goes both ways, guys text as much as girls depends on the person, sometimes guys can be just as needs as girls, they can send a lot of texts, girls want attention guys may want something else


R What is an appropriate age to start texting?
N um i hate these little teeny boppers who text, they text a bunch of nothing they wanna act like big people, i guess 15 or 16 they can start


R Do you think texting helps with social skills?
N of course you know again when you start texting someone as friends or you jest met helps you come out of your shell, think of what you wanna say before you say it helps them be funny being out a persons good and bad , you can compare that person in person compared ot text. good warm up, well leave it at that

R Do you find yourself using "slang"words now more due to texting?
N no im a fan of dictionary words, i hate lol and k, def use my words when i want  to text someone . i think they appear to be just lazy . don't mind smiley faces, the acronyms bother me, instead of the they use DA

R Can you see your life without text messaging?
N wow no and that's horrible that im saying that but looking back on growing u and how my parents grow up, i guess we are going with the times of technology, its a new way to communicate but we forget there was a time when texting did not exist. im so busy so yes texting is si easier to do, cant picture my life with out it . i can communate with family i do not get to see so its a great way to keep in touch with them


Wrap up

N texting in relationship is great you can communicate, talk during the day and its awesome, keep in touch sense of comfort, text that says good morning sweetheart, as long as you dont get into arguments, if you are then call someone, it can put a strain on it, too  much of a good thing is bad for you. my boyfriend hates talking on the phone, so ill text him instead sometimes, Going with the times, its hard when you are in a relationship and  there are trust issues, you see him texting your mind takes over and now you are wondering who hes texting, he goes to the bathroom, you are tempted to look at his phone, or he wants to check mine.
i have nothing to hide, he is always trying to hide things, i know he is texting a girl from work but its just casual talk, if it was more it would start a war, im a jealous  person, sometimes your mind wonders.


R well thank you for your input, very informative
N Thank you this has been great!