A class discusson on the Psychology of Online Interactions
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Impression Management in Facebook
Some of the researchers you're reading about (or going to read about!) have some new research on Facebook and impression management in a recent NY Times article.
I can definitely see how people "form" their Facebook profile to make a certain impression that they want to impose on people. You rarely see Facebook pictures where people look unhappy or mean or lonely. Most pictures are seen with people at a party or with friends or at least happy. Also with types of music,hobbies or even their hometown...if people are embarrassed about something, they may not share it or be completely truthful.
I agree with the above comment. People may try and hide there true self on something like facebook. I do think that people, when joining different groups, depending on what the attraction is, will show there true identity. For instance, a cancer patient may join a cancer group and be able to tell her true feelings. "It is more like social lubrication without a drink in your hand." I thought that this was an intersting quote. Its easier to be who you wanna be on facebook or very similar to it as having a drink in your hand.
I thought one of the best statements about impression management in this article was "it is more like social lubrication without a drink in your hand." I think this quote sums up Facebook completely. It is very obvious that when you come to college a lot of the times alcohol consumption is encouraged so that people can "loosen up" at a party. This is because people think they are invincible when they are drunk and can say whatever they want without penalty. This is definitely like online interactions because putting up any picture you want of yourself and writing your own "about me" section on Facebook, definitely allows people to feel more socially inclined.
I think this is one of those "well duh" studies. Of course people aren't going to put every reality of their life online. A depressed person isn't going to increase the stigma of his/her depression by posting 'depressed pictures' on their Facebook. At the same time, I don't always think what we put on Facebook is meant to be 'positive' or 'make people like us' as it can go both ways. Everyone desires to be accepted and loved despite their personality and I also agree with what Amanda said about people who join groups showing their true identity. maybe that's because they were motivated to join out of necessity as opposed to leisure.
I agree to a point that many people "control" how they appear on facebook, but not always. Some people aren't afraid to let their "true" self out online, because they just "don't care" what others think (if that's possible). Many people also don't realize that those things put out there never go away. Perhaps the people who "manage their impression" online also think of future potential and consequences that come with certain appearances created.
I do agree though that people just don't typically let the bad things stay on their profile. For example, so many people untag bad pictures of themselves just because they don't want them linked to their profiles. I can't really blame them either. :)
5 comments:
I can definitely see how people "form" their Facebook profile to make a certain impression that they want to impose on people. You rarely see Facebook pictures where people look unhappy or mean or lonely. Most pictures are seen with people at a party or with friends or at least happy. Also with types of music,hobbies or even their hometown...if people are embarrassed about something, they may not share it or be completely truthful.
I agree with the above comment. People may try and hide there true self on something like facebook. I do think that people, when joining different groups, depending on what the attraction is, will show there true identity. For instance, a cancer patient may join a cancer group and be able to tell her true feelings. "It is more like social lubrication without a drink in your hand." I thought that this was an intersting quote. Its easier to be who you wanna be on facebook or very similar to it as having a drink in your hand.
I thought one of the best statements about impression management in this article was "it is more like social lubrication without a drink in your hand." I think this quote sums up Facebook completely. It is very obvious that when you come to college a lot of the times alcohol consumption is encouraged so that people can "loosen up" at a party. This is because people think they are invincible when they are drunk and can say whatever they want without penalty. This is definitely like online interactions because putting up any picture you want of yourself and writing your own "about me" section on Facebook, definitely allows people to feel more socially inclined.
I think this is one of those "well duh" studies. Of course people aren't going to put every reality of their life online. A depressed person isn't going to increase the stigma of his/her depression by posting 'depressed pictures' on their Facebook. At the same time, I don't always think what we put on Facebook is meant to be 'positive' or 'make people like us' as it can go both ways. Everyone desires to be accepted and loved despite their personality and I also agree with what Amanda said about people who join groups showing their true identity. maybe that's because they were motivated to join out of necessity as opposed to leisure.
I agree to a point that many people "control" how they appear on facebook, but not always. Some people aren't afraid to let their "true" self out online, because they just "don't care" what others think (if that's possible). Many people also don't realize that those things put out there never go away. Perhaps the people who "manage their impression" online also think of future potential and consequences that come with certain appearances created.
I do agree though that people just don't typically let the bad things stay on their profile. For example, so many people untag bad pictures of themselves just because they don't want them linked to their profiles. I can't really blame them either. :)
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