Posted by JenStar on August 26, 2004, at 12:01:25
In reply to Re: questions, posted by Dr. Bob on August 24, 2004, at 13:05:52
thanks for your response. I can see that some of my questions presuppose a more intimate knowledge of what posters are really thinking, as well as an anticipation of a yes/no answer.
For example, my mypothesis would be that behavior WOULD change (temporarily) as a result of a suicide -- people would post messages that seemed to be more empathetic based on the word choices in them, and that people might seem to be more concerned about others, based on the language they used or the concern they expressed if they didn't hear from someone in a while. I also hypothesize that this would eventually fade back down to "normal" after a while, esp. if the board is "diluted" with newcomers.
After I asked that question I realized that the board is such a fluid place that it would be hard to get a baseline from which to measure change.Other things I'd be interested in reading about (if you ever wrote them up!) would be: how do people on the board respond to you as an authority figure, and does this differ in any way from experiences IRL as an authority figure; the formation of board cliques and the group acceptance of exclusion of certain behaviors (or individuals) and how that is similar/different from behavior in RL groups; unappointed natural "group leaders" or "gurus" and how their presence steers, directs, changes and influences the posts of others on the board over time.
Do you have other articles planned?
thanks for sharing the one you did.
If you don't mind a few more questions...how was it received by your audience?JenStar
> > Did behavior change on the board AS A RESULT OF the suicide? For example, did people become more empathetic, more compassionate, more worried if suicidal posters took unannounced 'breaks', etc?
>
> Good question. But to answer it, there would need to be a way to measure empathy, compassion, worry, etc.
>
> > I was interested in your comment that guilt was "diffused" -- is that compared to a peer group who know each other IRL? Would you say it is diffused because of the emotional (and obviously physical) distance conferred by the electronic media?
>
> I meant in a group as opposed to one-on-one. IMO BTW, electronic communication doesn't necessarily lead to emotional distance. On the contrary, people can feel safer, open up more, and get emotionally closer.
>
> > In general, do you find that this group of people behave similarly to a therapeutic group (albeit larger and less organized) IRL?
>
> Another good question. I don't have a lot of experience with groups IRL. And I don't know if there are any this large and disorganized! :-)
>
> > Do you think that it is possible or probable that a suicide could be prevented or encouraged by posts on this (or any) board?
>
> Sure.
>
> > Did you see evidence that this suicide was delayed or hastened by the person's interactions here?
>
> In an individual case, how can anyone know what might have been?
>
> Bob
poster:JenStar
thread:368193
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040717/msgs/382551.html