Self on Facebook: A social psychological investigation within uses and gratifications framework

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Tezin Türü: Doktora

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Psikoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2016

Öğrenci: NİLÜFER ERCAN

Danışman: BENGİ ÖNER ÖZKAN

Özet:

Literature on uses and gratifications of social media focused on relationship and networking oriented gratifications since now. Although identity and certain self-focused gratifications were also emerged as categories in these studies, limitations regarding unclear conceptualizations, inconsistent findings and measurement problems make it hard to draw clear conclusions. Building on a social psychological perspective, current study aimed at 1) differentiating self-focused uses and gratifications and 2) developing reliable and valid measures for them. The aims are achieved in two steps: An initial, qualitative exploratory study and a quantitative comprehensive model. Results of the initial study enabled differentiating between “self-aggrandizement”, “self enhancement”, “self-expression”, “self-presentation” and “performing ideal self” gratifications. Second study was designed to test these emergent constructs using factor analyses in addition to correlational analyses of gratifications-uses link. Results of the combined validity and reliability analyses provided evidence for hypothesized differentiated model of self-focused gratifications. In addition, individual difference variables included in the study provided partial support as well. Further studies with more diversified and large samples are needed.