social informatics digital storytelling project
TRANSCRIPT
Social MediaAnd the Presentation of Self
By Mathew Cortez, Joshua Rochette, Casey Lau, and Megan Dolan
Introduction- Erving Goffman’s book: The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life published in 1956
- suggests that we try to control how those we interact with perceive and form impressions of
us
- play a combination of roles that make up a whole
- Technology prepares us to play these roles at different times
Introduction- The key players are all individuals using social media
- sincere vs cynical performers
- “ideal type” integral in the interactions between the performer and the audience
- Social media is used by all age groups
- Social media allows individuals to present themselves in different ways on different social media sites
- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tinder, etc.
- these act as virtual “props”
Current Examples- Setting
change (In person→ Online)In person
Manage - clothing appearance, attitude, conversation,
location
- Oldenburg describes Third Places as places outside
of the work or home where people come to socialize,
such as coffee houses and cafes
- “home away from home” environment
- engaging with “familiar strangers”
- openness, neutrality, conversation, social well-
being
Online
- photos and videos can observe participants and
jeopardize comfort of “home away from home”
- contemporary third places are virtual third places or
ICT-supported third places
- smaller tables for private media use, power
outlets, conversation augmented by laptops
and cell phones
- participants can “peek inside” third places without
having to enter
- engage in conversation through comments
- advertise on Facebook through likes and
shares
Current Examples- Tinder Online
Reduced cues -
- People have to present themselves based on their own
self knowledge which might not match with reality
- making effort to hide the things about themselves
- All front stage online (people only show what they want
seen)
Asynchronicity -
- delayed response time changes the way a person
presents themselves (time allows people to act differently
than if they had to react immediately
In Person
- Less control over presentation of self
- Difficult to hide things about themselves in person
Synchronicity -
- Have to respond as one normally would, no time to
present their ideal selves
Current Examples-New Social
Scripts In Person
Script - “Hello, how are you? Good. How are
you?”
Set starting and ending points of a conversation
Dictates behavior
Very formal (People act as expected according to
the script)
Online
Script - Less structured, being able to jump to any part of the
conversation
Conversation are just picked up where they left off, no need
to conform to the old script
Less emotions conveyed due to most conversations being
text based
Less props needed, just need to manage the profile the
communication is taking place on
Core Principles of social
informatics 1. Uses of ICT lead to multiple and sometimes paradoxical effects
- higher self-esteem after looking at FB profile than after looking at self in mirror
- More time on Internet=decreased well-being. Most students reported that the Internet was less useful than face to face
communication for building relationships
2. Uses of ICT shape thought and action in ways that benefit some groups more than others
- strong ties vs weak ties; twitter ineffective in helping Iranian Revolution
- Online networks are great for spreading word, but real world face to face connection best for high-risk change
3. The differential effects of the design, implementation and uses of ICTs often have
moral and ethical consequences
- should a “virtual spouse” be able to claim Social Security benefits of a partner?
- techno brush-off: breaking up with someone over text message or email
Core Principles of social
informatics 4. The design, implementation and uses of ICTs have reciprocal relationships with the
larger social context
- Paolo Zamboni reported in DEC 2009 that inflating a balloon inside twisted veins in the neck provided relief from
multiple sclerosis
- National MS Society of Canada have pledged $2.4 million over the next two years to examine the role that problems
with veinous circulation might play in MS
5. The phenomenon of interest will vary by the level of analysis
- Young users of technology positively responded to the creation of file-sharing websites which made it easier to share
things like MP3s
- The music industry had a negative response because file sharing meant losing money
Field Experience
Some 93% of hiring managers search LinkedIn LNKD, -0.70% for recruits, according to a 2013 survey by career website
Jobvite (Fottrell)
Expert opinions
Reference ListFottrell, Quentin. How Job Recruiters Screen You on LinkedIn.
MarketWatch. N.p., 4 May 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.
Memarov, Nemanja. Rethinking Third Places: Contemporary Design With Technology. The Journal of
Community Informatics. N.p. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. http://uc.inf.usi.ch/sites/all/files/rethinking-JoCI-01-
web.pdf