Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Degree
Summer 2009
Degree Name
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Degree In
Mass Communications
First Advisor
Judy Polumbaum
First Committee Member
Mark Andrejevic
Second Committee Member
Frank Durham
Third Committee Member
Steve Wieting
Fourth Committee Member
Dan Berkowitz
Fifth Committee Member
Jane Singer
Abstract
This study examines identity presentations on the online social networking site, Facebook.com. The two-phase research design includes a period of participant observation of a sample of 346 college students and recent graduates followed by an interview period with a sample subset of 48 interviewees. The study analyzes key performance components on the site using a symbolic interaction perspective, to determine common characteristics of Facebook profiles, importance of performance components, and categories of identity performance.
Identity performance components are broken into two general categories, static and dynamic. Dynamic components, those that are updated frequently and drive much of the activity online, are far more important in terms of identity performance. Dynamic components on Facebook found to be important in this study are status updates, use of bumper stickers and pieces of flair, giving gifts, and photos.
Analysis of these components supports the symbolic interaction literature in general and the works of George H. Mead specifically. The Facebook news feed allows Facebookers to continually observe identity performances of others as well as to give and receive feedback on performances. This continual flow of information allows for the development of a generalized other, used as the basis for anticipating reactions from others to potential activity. Based on these anticipations, in an effort to reduce misinterpretations, Facebookers develop exaggerated performances that serve to distinguish in-groups from out-groups.
Keywords
Computer-mediated, Identity, Online Community, Social Network, Symbolic Interaction
Pages
vi, 247 pages
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 232-241).
Copyright
Copyright 2009 Lee Keenan Farquhar
Comments
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