The Psychobiological Model: Towards a New Theory of Computer-Mediated Communication Based on Darwinian Evolution
Author(s): Ned Kock
Source: Organization Science, Vol. 15, No. 3 (May - Jun., 2004), pp. 327-348
Published by: INFORMS
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30034736

The model proposes that there is a negative causal link between the "naturalness" of a computer-mediated communication medium, which is the similarity of the medium to the face-to-face medium, and the cognitive effort required from an individual using the medium for knowledge transfer. The model also states that this link is counterbalanced by what are referred to as "schema alignment" and "cognitive adaptation." The schema alignment construct refers to the similarity between the mental schemas of an individual and those of other participant(s).