Classic Conversational Norms in Modern Computer-Mediated Collaboration

This paper examines whether conversational norms that have been observed for face-to-face communication also hold in the context of a specific type of computer-mediated communication: collaboration (such as in Wikipedia). Specifically, we tested adherence to Grice’s (1975) maxim of relation—the implicit demand to contribute information that is relevant (only) for the purpose of the communication. In two experiments about a historical event, we manipulated the relevance of information provided as well as the context of the collaboration (i.e., encyclopedia article vs. contemporary witness compendium). In line with Grice’s maxim, participants indeed reliably preferred information that was relevant for the specific context (e.g., information of general relevance to a broader audience in the encyclopedia context).