responses, so that we can gain a real understanding of group interactions on the internet. ... Please check only one of the following internet-based group interactions: ... My name: Participant 1's name: Participant 2's name: Participant 3's name: .... How strongly do you like the members of your group and the group as a whole ...
Opinion Survey – Group Interactions on the Internet Thank you for answering the questions on this questionnaire. Please do not sign this questionnaire, as all responses will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential. For statistical purposes, we really need your frank and honest responses, so that we can gain a real understanding of group interactions on the internet. We expect people to differ in their true reactions and we ask you to be totally honest. We have listed SIX different types of internet-based group interactions that people engage in below. Please select the ONE: * that you most frequently engage in, AND * where you interact the most with the same group of people (these may be your real-life friends, family members, co-workers, or internet-only friends) Note that in the rest of the survey, you will be asked a number of questions pertaining to the one type of group interaction that you choose. Please check only one of the following internet-based group interactions: [ ]
Chatting online in real time with friends or family members using ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger or similar software
[ ]
Chatting online in an internet chat-room
[ ]
Playing a group-based video game on the internet with friends
[ ]
Role-playing in a multi-user dungeon (MUD)
In the space provided below, describe the group interaction that you chose above in more detail. For example, name of chat-room or mailing list, when did you first join it, what you like about it, etc. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
1
(Branch here: for those answering 1 to 3) Imagine that you are logging on to the internet to engage in the group interaction that you described above. Visualize the average participants of your online group. Then write your first name and a description of each participant that you think of in the table below. You may include up to, but not necessarily, five participants that come to mind. 1.
Names My name: Participant 1’s name: Participant 2’s name: Participant 3’s name: Participant 4’s name: Participant 5’s name:
(Branch here: for those answering 4 to 7) Imagine that you are logging on to the internet to engage in the group interaction that you described above. You have a number of friends within that group that you regularly interact with. Please picture briefly in your mind the name and image of each Group Member. Then write your first name and their first names/ handles in the table below. You may include up to, but not necessarily, five group members. Please be sure to include only friends that are part of the group you regularly interact with on the internet. 1.
Names My name: Group Member 1’s name: Group Member 2’s name: Group Member 3’s name: Group Member 4’s name: Group Member 5’s name:
2.
How strong would you say the explicit or implicit agreement is among each of the following to interact with on the internet as a group sometime during the next two weeks or so? And how strong is the agreement of the whole group? Very weak
Weak
Moderate
Strong
Very strong
Me Group Member Number 1 Group Member Number 2 Group Member Number 3 Group Member Number 4 Group Member Number 5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
Whole Group
1
2
3
4
5
2
3.
How strong would you say is your intention and the intention of each of the following people to interact with together on the internet sometime during the next two weeks or so? And how strong is the whole group intention? Very weak
Weak
Moderate
Strong
Very strong
Me Group Member Number 1 Group Member Number 2 Group Member Number 3 Group Member Number 4 Group Member Number 5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
Whole Group
1
2
3
4
5
4. How strongly committed would you say the following are to interacting together as a group on the internet sometime during the next two weeks or so? And how committed is the whole group? Very weak
Weak
Moderate
Strong
Very strong
Me Group Member Number 1 Group Member Number 2 Group Member Number 3 Group Member Number 4 Group Member Number 5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
Whole Group
1
2
3
4
5
5. How willing are each of the following people to accommodate or adjust to the needs of the others in the group so as to choose a time and place to interact together on the internet sometime during the next two weeks or so? And how willing is the whole group to accommodate or adjust? Not at all willing
Somewhat willing
Moderately willing
Strongly willing
Very strongly willing
Me Group Member Number 1 Group Member Number 2 Group Member Number 3 Group Member Number 4 Group Member Number 5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
Whole Group
1
2
3
4
5
3
6. How inclined are each of the following to support or help other members in doing whatever it takes to facilitate interacting together on the internet as a group sometime during the next two weeks? And how inclined is the whole group willing to help others? Not at all inclined
Somewhat inclined
Moderately inclined
Strongly inclined
Very strongly inclined
Me Group Member Number 1 Group Member Number 2 Group Member Number 3 Group Member Number 4 Group Member Number 5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
Whole Group
1
2
3
4
5
7. How strongly do you like the members of your group and the group as a whole? Do not like at all
Like a little bit
Like moderately well
Like very much
Like very, very much
Me Group Member Number 1 Group Member Number 2 Group Member Number 3 Group Member Number 4 Group Member Number 5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
Whole Group
1
2
3
4
5
8. A. How many times in the past two weeks did you interact together on the internet with the group you identified above? ______ time(s) with friends. B. How much time do you spend on average when you interact together on the internet with the group identified above? ______ hours. 9. How many times did you interact together on the internet with the group you identified above in a typical two week period over the past 6 months? ______ time(s) with friends. 10.
Interacting together on the internet sometime during the next two weeks with the group you often chat with can be considered a goal. For each of the people listed below, please estimate the strength to which each holds this goal: Very weak
Weak
Moderate
Strong
Very strong
4
Me Group Member Number 1 Group Member Number 2 Group Member Number 3 Group Member Number 4 Group Member Number 5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
11. If I am able to interact together on the internet with the group I identified above during the next two weeks, I will feel”:
Relief Contentment Excited Delighted Happy Glad Satisfied Proud Self-assured
Not at all 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Moderately 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Very much 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
“If am unable to interact together on the internet with the group I identified above during the next two weeks, I will feel”:
Angry Frustrated Guilty Ashamed Sad Disappointed Depressed Worried Uncomfortable Anxious Agitated Nervous 12.
Not at all 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Moderately 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Very much 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
How much control do you have over interacting together on the internet with the group you identified above during the next two weeks: No control 1
2
3
Moderate control 4
5
6
Total control 7
For me to interact together on the internet with the group I mentioned above during the next two weeks is: Difficult 1
2
3
Neither 4
5
6
Easy 7
5
If I chose to, it would be unproblematic for me to interact together on the internet with the group I mentioned above: Very unlikely 1
2
3
Neither 4
5
6
Very likely 7
For my group, interacting together on the internet during the next two weeks is: Difficult 1
13.
2
3
Neither 4
5
Easy 7
6
On the following scales, please express your attitude toward interacting together on the internet with the group you identified above sometime during the next two weeks:
Foolish
Wise Extremely
quite
slightly
neither
slightly
quite
extremely
Extremely
quite
slightly
neither
slightly
quite
extremely
Extremely
quite
slightly
neither
slightly
quite
extremely
Extremely
quite
slightly
neither
slightly
quite
extremely
Harmful
Beneficial
Bad
Good
Punishing
Rewarding
14.
Please express how strongly most people who are important to you feel you should or should not interact together on the internet with the group you normally interact with. Most people who are important in my life think I (circle appropriate number): should 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: internet with the group sometime during the next two weeks.
should not interact together on the
Most people who are important to me would (circle appropriate number): 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: disapprove approve 1: of me interacting together on the internet with the group sometime during the next two weeks. 15.
“I desire to interact together on the internet with the group I mentioned above during the next two weeks”: Disagree 1
2
3
Neither 4
5
6
Agree 7
“My desire for interacting together on the internet with the group I mentioned above during the next two weeks can be described as “: No desire at
Very weak
Weak
Moderate
Strong
Very strong
Very, very strong
6
all 1
desire 2
desire 3
desire 4
desire 5
desire 6
desire 7
“I want to interact together on the internet with the group I mentioned above during the next two weeks”: Does not describe me at all 1
16.
_____ extremely
_____ slightly
_____ neither
_____ slightly
_____ quite
_____ likely extremely
Neither disagree nor agree 3
Agree 4
Strongly agree 5
Disagree 2
Neither disagree nor agree 3
Agree 4
together
Strongly agree 5
Please indicate to what degree your self-image overlaps with the identity of the group you mentioned above as you perceive it:
2
3
Moderately 4
5
6
Very much 7
How attached are you to the group you mentioned above? Not at all attached: I have no positive feelings toward the group 1
21.
6
We [i.e., the group you identified in Question #1] intend to interact on the internet sometime during the next two weeks:
Not at all 1
20.
_____ quite
Disagree 2
Strongly disagree 1 19.
5
I intend that our group [i.e., the group you identified in Question #1] interact on the internet together sometime during the next two weeks: Strongly disagree 1
18.
3
Describes me very well 7
Please express the degree to which you might intend to interact together on the internet with the group mentioned above during the next two weeks:
unlikely
17.
2
Describes me moderately well 4
2
3
Moderately attached 4
5
6
Attached very much; I have very substantial positive feelings toward the group 7
How strong would you say your feelings of belongingness are toward the group you mentioned? Not at all strong 1
2
3
Moderately strong 4
5
6
Very strong 7
7
22.
“I am a valuable member of the group mentioned above.”
Does not describe me at all 1
2
3
Describes me moderately well 4
5
6
Describes me very well 7
8
23.
How would you express the degree of overlap between your own personal identity and the identity of the group you mentioned above in Question #1, when you are actually part of the group and are engaged in group activities, such as interacting together on the internet? (select one response from a, b, c, d, e, f, g, or h):
9
24.
“I am an important member of the group mentioned above.”
Does not describe me at all 1
2
3
Describes me moderately well 4
5
6
Describes me very well 7
25. How many days per week do you use the following communication media? Circle the appropriate number for each medium. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Television 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Radio 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Newspapers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Magazines 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 E-mail 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Web (non-e-mail) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Telephone 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
26. On each day you do use these media, how many hours on average per day do you use it? Please fill in the box with a number. Television Radio Newspapers Magazines E-mail Web (non-e-mail) Telephone
10
27. How often do you use your online group (identified above) for satisfying the following needs?
to get information to generate ideas to negotiate or bargain to learn about myself and others to be entertained to get to know others to learn how to do things to impress people to have something to do with others to provide others with information to get someone to do something for me to solve problems to play to stay in touch to relax to make decisions to contribute to a pool of information to gain insight into myself to pass the time away when bored to feel less lonely to feel important
Never 1 1 1 1 1
Rarely 2 2 2 2 2
Sometimes 3 3 3 3 3
Frequently 4 4 4 4 4
Always 5 5 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
11
28.How often do you use the Internet in general for satisfying the following needs?
to get information to generate ideas to negotiate or bargain to learn about myself and others to be entertained to get to know others to learn how to do things to impress people to have something to do with others to provide others with information to get someone to do something for me to solve problems to play to stay in touch to relax to make decisions to contribute to a pool of information to gain insight into myself to pass the time away when bored to feel less lonely to feel important
Never 1 1 1 1 1
Rarely 2 2 2 2 2
Sometimes 3 3 3 3 3
Frequently 4 4 4 4 4
Always 5 5 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
29.Participating in group interactions on the internet often influences other activities and interactions of individuals. For each of the following, please tell us how your amount of interactions with others have changed now when compared to before you engaged in internet-based group interactions.
1. Visiting with family members 2. Visiting with friends 3. Going out with family members 4. Going out with friends 5. Activities with neighbors 6. Activities with hobby groups (book clubs, sports teams, etc.) 7. Telephone conversations with family 8. Telephone conversations with friends 9. Writing letters to family and friends
Very much less than before 1 1 1 1 1 1
Same as before 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
Very much more than before 5 5 5 5 5 5
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
5 5 5
12
31.Participating in group interactions on the internet often influences how individuals use other media such as television, radio, etc. For each of the following media, please tell us how your use has changed now when compared to before you got on the internet.
1. Watching television 2. Listening to the radio 3. Reading newspapers 4. Reading magazines 5. Watching movies in movie theaters 6. Renting videos and DVDs 7. Reading fiction and non-fiction books
Very much less than before 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Same as before 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Very much more than before 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
32. Please answer the following questions about yourself Strongly disagree 1 I like introducing new brands and products to my friends I like helping people by providing them with information about many kinds of products People ask me for information about products, places to shop, or sales If someone asked where to get the best buy on several types of products, I could tell him or her where to shop. My friends think of me as a good source of information when it comes to new products or sales. I know al lot of different products, stores, and sales, and I like sharing this information Think about a person who has the information about a variety of products and likes to share this information with others. This person knows about new products, sales, stores and so on, but does not necessarily feel he or she is an expert on one particular product. How well would you say that this description fits you?
Disagree
Neither disagree nor agree 3 3
Agree
Strongly agree
4 4
5 5
1
2 2
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
13
33.Please answer the following questions about yourself.
I prefer a job where I have a lot of control over what I do and when I do it. I enjoy political participation because I want to have as much of a say in running government as possible. I try to avoid situations where someone else tells me what to do. . I would prefer to be a leader than a follower. I enjoy being able to influence the actions of others I am careful to check everything on an automobile before I leave for a long trip. Others usually know what is best for me. I enjoy making my own decisions. I enjoy having control over my own destiny. I would rather someone else take over the leadership role when I’m involved in a group project. I consider myself to be generally more capable of handing ling situations than others are. I’d rather run my own business and make my own mistakes than listen to someone else’s orders. I like to get a good idea of what a job is all about before I begin. When I see a problem, I prefer to do something about it rather than sit by and let it continue. When it comes to orders, I would rather given them than receive them. I wish I could push many of life’s daily decisions off on someone else. When driving, I try to avoid putting myself in a situation where I could be hurt by another persona’s mistake. I prefer to avoid situations where someone else has to tell me what I should be doing. There are many situations in which I would prefer only one choice rather than having to make a decision. I like to wait and see if someone else is going to solve a problem so that I don’t have to be bothered with it.
Never applies to me 1 1
3 3
Occasion -ally applies 4 4
5 5
6 6
Always Applies to me 7 7
2 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 6
7 7 7
1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5
6 6 6 6
7 7 7 7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
14
34.Please answer the following questions about yourself.
Agree
Strongly agree
4 4
5 5
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
I usually do not set goals because I have a hard time following through on them.
1
2
3
4
5
Bad luck has sometimes prevented me from achieving things. Almost anything is possible for me if I really want it. Most of what happens in my career is beyond my control. I find it pointless to keep working on something that’s too difficult for me. In my personal relationships, the other person usually has more control than I do. I have no trouble making and keeping friends I’m not good at guiding the course of a conversation with several others. I can usually develop a personal relationship with someone I find appealing. I can usually steer a conversation toward the topics I want to talk about. When I need assistance with something, I often find it difficult to get others to help. If there’s someone I want to meet, I can usually arrange it. I often find it hard to get my point of view across to others. In attempting to smooth over a disagreement, I sometimes make it worse. I find it easy to play an important part in most group situations.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
I can usually achieve what I want if I work hard for it. Once I make plans, I am almost certain to make them work. I prefer games involving some luck over games requiring pure skill. I can learn almost anything if I set my mind to it. My major accomplishments are entirely due to my hard work and ability.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
1 1
2 2
Neither disagree nor agree 3 3
1
2
1
15
35. Please rate the degree to which each statement is characteristic or true of you.
It takes me time to overcome my shyness in new situations. I have trouble working when someone is watching me. I get embarrassed very easily. I don’t find it hard to talk to strangers. I feel anxious when I speak in front of a group. Large groups make me nervous.
36. Please indicate your gender: _____ male
Extremely Uncharacteristic
Somewhat Uncharacteristic
Neither
Somewhat Characteristic
Extremely Characteristic
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
5 5 5
1
2
3
4
5
_____ female
37. Please indicate your age ____________
16
