Haven't we met somewhere before? The effects of a brief Internet introduction on social anxiety in a subsequent face to face interaction.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 22466023 · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.02.002
What was done
Sixty participants (30 socially anxious and 30 with low social anxiety) were randomized to either a brief internet chat introduction or a control internet surfing condition, followed by a standardized face-to-face interaction with their partner.
What was found
The authors report that the brief chat introduction reduced anxiety and preference to avoid the subsequent face-to-face interaction on most indices for socially anxious participants. The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or test statistics.
Why it matters
The study suggests computer-mediated communication before an in-person meeting may act as a helpful preliminary step to lower acute social anxiety when meeting that specific person.
Limits
The sample size is small (60 participants across four experimental cells). The abstract does not provide numerical results or specific scale metrics. The effect was tested only with the same interaction partner and it is unknown whether the reduction in anxiety generalizes to other social contexts or partners.
Cited by
- supports Early research in online interaction shows that anxious individuals experience reduced anxiety when communicating via text or keyboard because they have more time to think before responding.