A Model of Social Eavesdropping in Communication Networks

Authors

  • Leila Bighash Department of Communication, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
  • Kristen S. Alexander Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
  • Christina S. Hagen Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
  • Andrea B. Hollingshead Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Departments of Management and Organizations and Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Keywords:

surveillance, organizational communication, communication networks, uncertainty management, information gathering, privacy

Abstract

Social eavesdropping is the gathering of information from the interactions of 2 or more people, without their expressed knowledge or expressed permission, by a third party who is ostensibly not the target audience. Grounded in uncertainty management, communication networks, and signaling theories, this article presents a theoretical framework for understanding when and how individuals are likely to eavesdrop on the interactions of others. Social eavesdropping can be actively premeditated or passively incidental, the latter spurred by a serendipitous encounter. Propositions derived from the model investigate how accessibility, information value, and social risk influence the likelihood of social eavesdropping.

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Published

2020-06-29

Issue

Vol. 14 (2020)

Section

Articles