Open AccessWriting for Friends and Family: The Interpersonal Nature of Blogs
Author(s) -
Stefa Michael A.,
Jang ChyngYang
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of computer‐mediated communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.15
H-Index - 119
ISSN - 1083-6101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00389.x
Subject(s) - extraversion and introversion , interpersonal communication , psychology , function (biology) , social psychology , affect (linguistics) , the internet , interpersonal relationship , sample (material) , style (visual arts) , social network (sociolinguistics) , social media , big five personality traits , world wide web , personality , computer science , communication , geography , chemistry , chromatography , biology , archaeology , evolutionary biology
This research explores variables related to the use of personal‐journal style blogs for interpersonal goals. A random sample of bloggers completed surveys exploring how the combination of extraversion and self‐disclosure affect strong tie network size, which in turn serves as motivation to use blogs as an alternative communication channel. Bloggers who exhibit both extraversion and self‐disclosure traits tend to maintain larger strong‐tie social networks and are more likely to appropriate blogs to support those relationships. Age, gender, and education have no relationship to network size, blog content, or the use of blogs as a relationship maintenance tool. These results contribute to the continuing discussion about the impact that the Internet and its tools are having on relationships by suggesting that, rather than promoting isolation, computer‐mediated communication tools such as blogs often function to enhance existing relationships.