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Article
Can you connect with
me now? How the
presence of mobile
communication
technology influences
face-to-face
conversation quality
Andrew K. Przybylski
Netta Weinstein
University of Essex, UK
Abstract
Recent advancements in communication technology have enabled billions of people to
connect over great distances using mobile phones, yet little is known about how the
frequent presence of these devices in social settings influences face-to-face interactions.
In two experiments, we evaluated the extent to which the mere presence of mobile
communication devices shape relationship quality in dyadic settings. In both, we found
evidence they can have negative effects on closeness, connection, and conversation
quality. These results demonstrate that the presence of mobile phones can interfere with
human relationships, an effect that is most clear when individuals are discussing person-
ally meaningful topics.
Keywords
Closeness, connection, conversation quality, face-to-face interactions, mobile phones,
relationship quality
Corresponding author:
Andrew K. Przybylski, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ,
UK.
Email: aprzyby@essex.ac.uk
Journal of Social and
Personal Relationships
30(3) 237–246
ªThe Author(s) 2012
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DOI: 10.1177/0265407512453827
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