Open AccessWhat to Tell About Me? Self‐Presentation in Online Communities
Author(s) -
Schwämmlein Eva,
Wodzicki Katrin
Publication year - 2012
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.1083-6101.2012.01582.x
Subject(s) - presentation (obstetrics) , identity (music) , salient , online community , affect (linguistics) , process (computing) , psychology , social psychology , public relations , internet privacy , computer science , world wide web , communication , political science , medicine , aesthetics , philosophy , artificial intelligence , radiology , operating system
This paper investigates how the type of community and personal goals affect self‐presentation. In 3 online studies, we simulated the registration process in online communities, presenting either a common‐bond or a common‐identity community. Study 1 confirmed that members of the common‐bond community presented themselves in an individualizing manner, while members of the common‐identity community focused on characteristics shared among members of the community. Study 2 investigated underlying processes, showing that the goal to get in contact with other members was less salient in the common‐identity than in the common‐bond community. Study 3 demonstrated that community members actively manage their self‐presentation in accordance with personal goals. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for research and profile design.