Exploring self concept and social identities in the context of online intimate relationships
Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Many South Africans are developing online relationships. Due to the anonymous and artificial context of the online environment it is possible that a person’s identity differs within the on- and offline environment. Sternberg’s (1986) Triangular Model of Love as well as Rogers’ Self Theory (1951) were utilized as a theoretical base for investigating online identity and intimacy. Using a qualitative, exploratory design, the study explored this phenomenon by analysing open ended questionnaires administered online to people in intimate online relationships. Participants were selected by means of non-probability snowball sampling. The findings indicated that Internet socialisers vary in their experience of their online identities. Individuals may have a multitude of genuine online selves, each one represented differently depending on the anonymity and level of intimacy in the relationship. Selfdisclosure and deception play an important role in identity representation and exploration and both are experienced as being affected by the online context.
Author: Phillip Van Staden
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2787756088