Performing and interpreting identity through Facebook imagery

Bibliographic Data

ID7537724
AuthorsLee Farquhar (Samford University, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume19
Issue4
Pages446-471
Publication date2012-10-16
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueConvergence The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-8565 • E-ISSN: 1748-7382
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1354856512459838
OpenAlexW2333560972
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited31

This one-year cyber-ethnography examines identity presentations and interpretations of 346 Facebook users. The social–psychological theoretical framework used drew specifically from symbolic interaction, Goffman’s performance of self, and schema theory. Generally, Facebookers sought social acceptance with their presentations. Primary findings indicate that the Facebookers present over-simplified imagery to reduce ambiguity and align with specific social groups. This study asked Facebookers to respond to strangers’ Facebook profiles, and the responses showed that due to the glut of identity-related information on the site, interpretations are heavily reliant on schemas. Online interview participants indicated several basic categories of identity performance that were used to assess others. Furthermore, online interview participants felt confident giving detailed descriptions of strangers’ personalities based on only a few minutes of viewing their profiles

Aesthetics · Ambiguity · Ethnography · Identity (music · Personality · Personality psychology · Schema (genetic algorithms · Social group · Social identity theory · Sociology · Symbolic interactionism · Computer Science · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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