Joseph B. Walther (academic)

Joseph B. Walther is a researcher specializing in communication technology and how it influences human interaction. He is best known for developing the Social Information Processing (SIP) theory, which explains how people develop relationships online. Walther's work shows that even without nonverbal cues like facial expressions, individuals can form meaningful connections through careful written communication over time. His research highlights that online relationships can be as deep as face-to-face ones, emphasizing the dynamics of trust, self-disclosure, and social presence in digital environments.