People play to an audience, especially in conflict situations. Because identity issues important to protecting and saving face are so pervasive in conflict, the presence of others during an exchange will often intensify feelings of ridicule, embarrassment, and humiliation when even the slightest provocation exists.
This has major implications for my HOA Facebook interactions. I serve on the board and the conversations I have are very much like a debate with people watching. It seems always to be a war of attrition as well. I always thought it would be better to have these conversations in the open so that the maximum number of people can gain an understanding and participate. I’ll have to reconsider carefully. Anybody have data or studies that bare out this effect?
This has major implications for my HOA Facebook interactions. I serve on the board and the conversations I have are very much like a debate with people watching. It seems always to be a war of attrition as well. I always thought it would be better to have these conversations in the open so that the maximum number of people can gain an understanding and participate. I’ll have to reconsider carefully. Anybody have data or studies that bare out this effect?