Cultural Cues in Students' Computer-Mediated Communication: Influences on E-mail Style, Perception of the Sender, and Willingness to Help

Abstract

Computer-mediated communication among university students with different cultural backgrounds has become widespread. In this study, we examine how undergraduates (N = 130) react to cultural cues when responding to an e-mail request for cooperation sent by a peer. Participants rated the sender's personality and stated their willingness to help. In the inquiry, 2 types of cultural cues were varied, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial design: ethnicity (German vs. Chinese name) and communication style (Western vs. Asian). Results showed that participants aligned their responses to the communication style; however, the ethnicity cue influenced the wording of their response, their perception of the sender's personality and their willingness to help. Results are discussed regarding communication accommodation and social judgment theories.