Self Identity Through Electronic Communication

Question Answers

2006-12-04T22:37:00.000-08:00

While online social groups are effective, are they as effective as live in person social group meetings? For example I know of churchs that offer their services on the internet every Sunday and I have watched them, but I know first hand that being there in the church service is way better than just sitting at your desk looking at your computer. How effect do you think online social groups are at targeting and achieving the purpose they exist for?

I think overall, anything live or in person is going to be better than watching it on a computer screen. Similar to watching your favorite band live and then seeing them on television, you are not getting the full effect of the performance. On cases such as Alcoholics Anonymous, I think the website is created more for having something to fall back on if you are unable to attend an A.A. meeting or to communicate with others who are struggling with the same addictions. It is there for support and encouragement but can never replace to effects of going to an A.A. meeting. Also, some people are uncomfortable talking to others about their addiction so communicating through the computer may be the best way for them to put their foot in the door and talk about it. Social groups are their for support, building relationships, and communicating with others and I think for achieving this purpose they work wonderfully but I do not think they are as effective as face to face communication.

Do think that these replacements for "normal" social interaction and discovery are healthy alternatives or better left additional assets?

Electronic communication is increasing more and more everyday. Although they are aiding our abilities to communicate overseas and with someone in another country in an instant is quite spectacular. From a business stand point, I believe the increase in electronic communication is a dream come true. As far as it replacing the “normal” social face to face communication interaction, I do not think they are healthy alternatives to enhance communication skills. I believe they hinder a person’s well being of communicating effectively face to face and creates a lazy environment for a communicator. In 2006, Hlebec, Manfreda, and Vehovar stated, “In addition, the internet can facilitate the isolation of individuals because the time spent online may reduce face-to-face social contacts. (Hlebec & Manfreda & Vehovar, 2006) This allowance of isolation could in fact hurt society because people will not know how to communicate effectively.

Have you formed any intimate relationships while using the web and mediated communication? I feel its hard to trust someone online because they could be portraying themselves falsely. Do you also find it hard to trust people online because of this?

I would have to say that I have never formed any intimate relationships while using the web and mediated communication. I am the type of person that only talks to people on the internet if I know them in person. Call me old fashioned but to me it just seems to risky to even talk randomly to some perfect stranger. When I was younger I did dabble around on chat rooms and talked to people on there, but no personal relationships ever were formed. I do find it hard to trust people online due to the many horror stories you hear on the news and in the media. I would never put myself in jeopardy just to meet someone I did not know in person. I even have trouble talking to people who communicate to me on Myspace who are my friend’s friend. It is not comfortable and I do not like to put myself in those type of situations.

The internet does provide a haven for people who have a more introverted personality and have a tougher time dealing with real people in a face to face communication setting. How does the internet take away from people by almost making it totally acceptable for them to be completely introverted? Do these people suffer from larger issues in life than just one on one communication problems? The world is becoming more and more dependant on these types of technologies and I'm wondering if future generations are projected to be less dependent on real person face to face communication and more dependent on the internet?

With the many possibilities for communicating within the comfort of your home, the internet seems to make it acceptable to be introverted. The reality is when these people go into the real world and try to get a job, they are going to have problems because they have not had the proper training needed to communicate effectively through interpersonal communication. I truly feel future generations are going to suffer due to this increase of electronic communication and will have issues in face to face communication. Their dependence will only hinder their success in the real world and only time will tell if this type of communication is a good thing.

I noticed that you listed Alcoholics Anonymous as one of the support groups that are now online. Are the online group as effective as actually attending a live meeting? My opinion is that it would be easier to let down your support group online rather than if you had to disclose bad information in person. It would be interest to see how the two compare when it comes to effectiveness.

After conducting more research on Alcoholics Anonymous, I found their use of internet communication is minimal. The website is for formal information on the pros of A.A. and allows users to find meetings in their area. I think it is a good website because not only does it allow people to access the information from the comfort of their home, but it also allows for interaction and questions between members. However, I do not think the online group is as effective as a live meeting.

Hlebec, V., Manfreda, K. L., & Vehovar, V. (2006). The social support networks of internet users. New Media & Society, 8(1), 9-32.

Who is More Likely to Find “Themselves” on the Internet?

2006-11-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

Studies have shown that people who lack a clearly defined sense of self spend more time online. (Matsuba, 2006). Certain needs that many not be satisfied through everyday social interaction are often found or fulfilled through the Internet. The Internet can provide a safe environment to interact with people and help keep people in their comfort zone which is usually in their homes. (Scealy & Stevenson, 2002) “In terms of Internet use, the self, and identity, our results suggest that people who lack self-clarity and who are searching for an adult identity may use the Internet to explore different facets of the self.” (Matsuba, 2006) Introverts and extroverts have been examined and the studies show remarkable outcomes.

Introverts are often described as shy people who are usually concerned primarily with their own thoughts. They are not very outgoing and may have problems in the communication field. Introverts may feel more comfortable using the Internet to communicate with others rather than in everyday interactions. They also are more comfortable portraying themselves more accurately on the Internet because, once again, they are more comfortable utilizing the Internet setting. “Introverts and neurotics, the Internet can play a vital role in providing the opportunity to express their “real me.”(Amichai-Hamburger & Fox, 2002) Studies have also concluded that many shy people that use the Internet to communicate and form relationships use the new found skills in their social interactions offline. (Matsuba, 2006) It is important for people to express their feelings and the “real me” persona to live a normal life. People who are unable to express these feelings are more likely to suffer from serious psychological disorders. (Amichai-Hamburger et al, 2002)

Extroverts are the opposites of introverts. They are more outgoing and are more concerned with social and physical environment. Due to the fact they are more outgoing and have no issues communicating with others in their everyday life, they do not rely on the Internet as much to portray the “real me”. They more likely use the Internet for play and rely on social interaction to acquire relationships.

Relationships formed through the Internet can be minimal to full out intimate relationships. “In this regard, Internet interactions are analogous to those one sometimes has with ‘strangers on a train’ in which one opens up and self discloses intimate details to the stranger sitting in the next seat, details that one might never have told one’s colleagues at the office or even one’s family and friends back home.”(Bargh, 2002) The internet can be many different things to many people. That is the beauty of the Internet and a wonderful tool that will be used for the rest of our lives.

Amichai-Hamburger, Y., Wainapel, G., & Fox, S. (2002). "On the Internet No One Knows I'm an Introvert": Extroversion, Neuroticism, and Internet Interaction. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 5(2), 125-128. Retrieved Friday, November 03, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Bargh, J., McKenna, K., & Fitzsimons, G. (2002). Can You See the Real Me? Activation and Expression of the “True Self” on the Internet. Journal of Social Issues, 58(1), 33. Retrieved Friday, October 27, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Matsuba, M. (2006). Searching for Self and Relationships Online. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 9(3), 275-284. Retrieved Tuesday, October 31, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Scealy M, Phillips J, Stevenson R. Shyness and Anxiety as Predictors of Patterns of Internet Usage. CyberPsychology & Behavior [serial online]. 2002;5(6):507-515. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 31, 2006.

Social Networks and Support Groups

2006-11-02T22:47:00.000-08:00

The Internet is a powerful thing. Not only does it provide information in the snap of a finger but it also allows for many variations of communication. Wikipedia defines social networks as a “social structure made of nodes which are generally individuals or organizations.” (Wikipedia). The internet is filled with social networks so people can communicate with others and form relationships. Through these social networks, many people find support that they may not have been able to receive from their families or friends. “Opportunities for support may be important for those who struggle with marginalized identities in the real world”(Matsuba, 2006). Support groups such as homosexual chat rooms, Alcohol Anonymous, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving have been formed to allow people to participate in these type of support groups. Many people find social networks beneficial due to the fact they help establish a bond with people who have similar situations, questions, and concerns. “Just as with the need to express important aspects of one’s identity, then, people will be especially likely to turn to Internet groups when embarrassment of lack of mobility makes participation in traditional group settings problematic (Bargh & McKenna, 2004). Social networks are there for support and have helped have touched many people’s lives.

Bargh, John A., and Katelyn Y.A McKenna. “The Internet and Social Life.” Annual Review of Psychology 55 (2004): 573-90.

Matsuba, M. (2006). Searching for Self and Relationships Online. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 9(3), 275-284. Retrieved Tuesday, October 31, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Social network. (2006, November 1). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:54, November 3, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_network&oldid=85110588

Adolescence and the Internet

2006-11-01T12:44:00.000-08:00

At a young age, the process of self identity is a continuous ongoing experience. The path chosen towards the future and how others perceive the identity is by one’s own choice. “Adolescence is known to be a period of exploratory self-analysis and self-evaluation ideally culminating in the establishment of a cohesive and integrative sense of self or identity.”(Allison & Shultz, 2001) It is at these stages that the base of self identity is formed. Relationships play a key role in this path and become a necessity to build communication foundation. “The need to form and maintain strong interpersonal bonds has been described as a fundamental need and one that is critical to healthy development.” (Gross & Gable, 2002) There are many ways children build these relationships that enhance their development. This entry focuses on the ability of children to utilize the Internet to establish self identities and create a communication foundation for the future.

With the Internet more prevalent in many child’s lives these days, it is easy to see how children use the Internet to communicate with others and form a sense of self identity. Instant messages, chat rooms, and email are dyadic semi-private tools the Internet has to offer. These tools are seen as similar ways of hanging out with friends and talking on the phone (Gross et al., 2002). Social networks such as Myspace and Facebook, are more newer versions of how a child might communicate with friends, family, and even complete strangers. These sites allow children and others to portray information of themselves to the open public. By doing this, children are allowed to portray themselves how they want others to perceive them rather than how they truly are. These websites may decrease or increase the child’s ability to establish their true self identity.

Although the Internet is often seen a playing a key role within children’s lives today, studies have shown children still engage in interpersonal relationships outside of the Internet. “In spite of growing role of online communication in the lives of young people, even regular internet users in our sample continued to spend most of their after-school time on traditional activities, many of which involved peer interaction...clubs, sports, hanging out with friends.”(Gross et al., 2002) Face to face interaction is important when establishing quality relationships and enhancing a child’s ability to communicate effectively.

Allison, B., & Schultz, J. (2001). Interpersonal identity formation during early adolescence. Adolescence, 36(143), 509. Retrieved Friday, October 27, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Gross, E., Juvonen, J., & Gable, S. (2002). Internet use and well-being in adolescence. Journal of Social Issues, 58(1), 75. Retrieved Friday, October 27, 2006 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Topic

2006-10-30T21:52:00.000-08:00

The topic I have chosen for analyis is the impact of electronic communication on self identity. Through researching this topic, I should find information on the effects of electronic communication, how the internet is used to create one's self identity, websites that are used to create self identity, and the types of people that use electronic communcation to find their self identity. I will be using research from scholarly journals as well as analysizing certain social network sites to enhance my information.