Oxford AQA A Level Psychology: COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION [3.3.4 Work and The Individual]

This fully editable lesson on Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) explores the nature and impact of digital communication on interpersonal interactions, particularly within professional settings. Aligned with the OxfordAQA International A-Level Psychology (9685) specification, this lesson helps students understand how electronic devices affect social exchanges and relationships, covering both advantages and limitations of digital communication.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Lesson Slides: The slides provide a thorough introduction to CMC, detailing its main features and effects on social interactions. Students learn about various forms of CMC—such as email, social media, and video calls—and examine core concepts like self-disclosure and ‘gating’. Visual aids and real-world examples help students grasp the psychological and social implications of CMC, such as reduced non-verbal cues and changes in communication style.

• Interactive Activities: Engaging “Do Now” prompts invite students to reflect on their experiences with electronic communication and consider its differences from face-to-face interactions. Think-Pair-Share discussions and structured extension questions encourage critical thinking on topics like the long-term impact of CMC on relationships and its role in fostering or hindering social connections. Students explore scenarios involving CMC, such as using email for professional feedback, to contextualize theoretical concepts.

• Evaluation Points and Assessment Materials: The lesson includes structured PEEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Evaluation) tasks to deepen students’ critical analysis skills. Evaluation questions address the strengths and limitations of email communication, covering points like accessibility, non-verbal cue absence, egocentrism, and the ‘online disinhibition effect’. Additionally, exam-style questions provide practical application opportunities, such as explaining the benefits of face-to-face communication over email in specific scenarios.