Creating Possible Selves: Information Disclosure Behaviour on Social Networks

Fuente: ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
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Autore principale: Bronstein, Jenny
Natura: Recurso educativo Open Access
Lingua:en
Pubblicazione: 2014
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author Bronstein, Jenny
author_facet Bronstein, Jenny
Bronstein, Jenny
collection Education Resources Information Center
contents Creating Possible Selves: Information Disclosure Behaviour on Social Networks Bronstein, Jenny Foreign Countries Self Disclosure (Individuals) Social Networks Web Sites Identification Behavior Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Online Surveys Student Surveys Introduction: This study investigates the creation of alternative identities or possible selves on social networks by examining self-presentation and self-disclosure as elements of the information disclosure behaviour of Facebook users. Method. An online questionnaire was distributed amongst library and information science students at Bar-Ilan University, Israel, and 152 students who have a profile on Facebook participated in the study. Analysis: The data analysis consisted of two phases. In the first phase quantitative responses received from the survey were compiled in a spreadsheet and analyzed using descriptive and correlative statistics. The second phase involved a thematic analysis of the participants' textual answers which provided insight into the participants' quantitative responses. Results: Findings show that the majority of participants were women who identified themselves using their real name, and who selectively posted personal photographs on their profile. The majority wanted to create a positive or socially acceptable possible self on their profiles and therefore they refrained from disclosing information that is highly personal or embarrassing, did not let their defenses down, and if they did disclose personal information, did so consciously. Conclusions: Findings suggest participants do not create their possible selves solely in relation to their social environment, either to impress their social connections or as a reaction to their feedback. Rather, the creation of possible selves is a reflective process that is motivated by the need for self-enhancement and not only by social or communication needs.
format Recurso educativo Open Access
id eric_EJ1020712
institution ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
language en
publishDate 2014
record_format eric
spellingShingle Creating Possible Selves: Information Disclosure Behaviour on Social Networks
Bronstein, Jenny
Foreign Countries
Self Disclosure (Individuals)
Social Networks
Web Sites
Identification
Behavior
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
Online Surveys
Student Surveys
Creating Possible Selves: Information Disclosure Behaviour on Social Networks Bronstein, Jenny Foreign Countries Self Disclosure (Individuals) Social Networks Web Sites Identification Behavior Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Online Surveys Student Surveys Introduction: This study investigates the creation of alternative identities or possible selves on social networks by examining self-presentation and self-disclosure as elements of the information disclosure behaviour of Facebook users. Method. An online questionnaire was distributed amongst library and information science students at Bar-Ilan University, Israel, and 152 students who have a profile on Facebook participated in the study. Analysis: The data analysis consisted of two phases. In the first phase quantitative responses received from the survey were compiled in a spreadsheet and analyzed using descriptive and correlative statistics. The second phase involved a thematic analysis of the participants' textual answers which provided insight into the participants' quantitative responses. Results: Findings show that the majority of participants were women who identified themselves using their real name, and who selectively posted personal photographs on their profile. The majority wanted to create a positive or socially acceptable possible self on their profiles and therefore they refrained from disclosing information that is highly personal or embarrassing, did not let their defenses down, and if they did disclose personal information, did so consciously. Conclusions: Findings suggest participants do not create their possible selves solely in relation to their social environment, either to impress their social connections or as a reaction to their feedback. Rather, the creation of possible selves is a reflective process that is motivated by the need for self-enhancement and not only by social or communication needs.
title Creating Possible Selves: Information Disclosure Behaviour on Social Networks
topic Foreign Countries
Self Disclosure (Individuals)
Social Networks
Web Sites
Identification
Behavior
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
Online Surveys
Student Surveys
url https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1020712