Yes, a person's personality can change when they communicate through a computer or phone screen as opposed to in person. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "online disinhibition effect." Several factors contribute to this change:
Anonymity: Online interactions can provide a degree of anonymity, which can lead some individuals to feel more liberated and less restrained in expressing themselves. As a result, they might be more open, candid, or even aggressive compared to how they would behave in face-to-face interactions.
Reduced social cues: When communicating through text-based mediums or even video chats, some social cues like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice are lost or less pronounced. This can lead to misinterpretation or difficulties in understanding the other person's emotions or intentions, potentially influencing the way one responds and perceives the other person's personality.
Time and reflection: In online communication, people often have more time to formulate their responses compared to real-time conversations. This can lead to more thought-out and deliberate responses, which may alter the way a person presents themselves and their personality traits.
Self-presentation and impression management: Online interactions allow individuals to carefully curate how they present themselves, emphasizing specific aspects of their personality and downplaying others. This selective self-presentation can lead to a somewhat different personality portrayal compared to in-person interactions, where spontaneity may be more evident.
Group dynamics and online communities: Engaging in conversations within online communities or specific platforms can also influence how a person behaves and communicates. The norms and culture of a particular online group can impact a person's language, style, and overall behavior.
It's important to note that the extent of personality change can vary significantly depending on the individual, the specific online environment, and the level of familiarity with the other participants. Some people may maintain a consistent personality across different communication mediums, while others may show more notable differences. Additionally, the online disinhibition effect can manifest differently in various situations, and some individuals might feel more comfortable and authentic expressing themselves online, leading to a more consistent personality portrayal across both online and offline settings.