sociology assignment- annotated bibliography

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Crystal Parker

Facebook and Social Networking

American Military University

April 19, 2015

Facebook is a very popular form of social networking. Every day there are 890 million people that log in to Facebook. It is quickly drawing crowds of visitors every month prompting a change in communication. This change subsequently presents that societies are choosing to become part of the widespread Facebook culture for various reasons, such as its well-known chances for keeping in touch with current social circles, reuniting long lost family and friends and expanding prospects of finding new friends. Facebook eliminates some of the obstacles that may limit our regularity of communication with people, upholding the geographic changes, social class, busy lifestyles and economic factors that may usually discourage us from regular contact. (Cooke 2011, pp. ix-4) Facebook lets users express their personality by the creation of a profile based on their life experiences, beliefs and attributes. These can be conveyed by posting status updates, uploading photographs and creating your own personal portrayal. (Collier,2010, pp. 61-64). To determine the factors of usage within a Facebook account a study was conducted among 1324 Australia internet users between the ages of 18- 44. The results showed that extraverted and introverted personalities are drawn to different aspects of the social networking site. Extraverted individuals tend to have more Facebook friends therefore presenting that they were more inclined to use the chat function on Facebook. However on the other hand individuals who experience neuroticism are more likely to use the Facebook wall for contact as this gives them a longer period of time to plan and express their response. The study also justifies that introverts tend to spend more time on Facebook then socially interactive individuals, instigating that Facebook consequently provides introverts with a more comfortable approach of communication with other individuals. This may result as a remedy for anxiousness in usual social interactive encounters, easing them into a feeling of acceptance. Overall Facebook’s different types of applications are designed to suit a broad range of different personalities without discriminating certain individuals, as this could be partial evidence on why such a large number of diverse societies are attracted to Facebook. (Ryan et al. 2011, pp. 1658-1664) The use of Facebook and other social networking sites may prove to be useful in areas of Social Capital. Social capital is a agile term, determined in this case as different types of communication resources used among the relationships of other people. Social Capital links some important positive effects to our public health and can retain some monetary factors. When Social Capital declines, communities may change into a social condition eventuating into the decline in common events and potentially deliberating suspicion among other individuals. Facebook as a form of social capital may be a helpful contributor, offering societies to learn more about each other in a less intrusive way as the member’s may communicate in the Facebook world based on common interests and important values of interest as we learn of other individuals developments in life and our connections among one another. When we look back at the age of the Digital immigrants, geographic differences, busy lifestyles and keeping ties with old school friends were once an obstacle before the social networking sites grew. Convenience and frequent contact were a distant hope, now Facebook and other social networking sites have gained a break through allowing us to maintain and have more frequent contact with friends and family that could subsequently be an asset to our mental wellbeing. However as a result these Social Capital aspects still need to be looked into, as this theory currently represents that this virtual tool of communication may be acknowledged as inedible for positive effects on individuals, more research is intended for the ultimate outcome. (Ellison et al. 2007, pp. 1143-1168) The generation of older citizens are becoming more familiar with the progression of technology as in our current era it has gradually been incorporated into their daily routines. The huge spread of Facebook and familiarity of this social networking tool among friends and family members may cause interest and motivational factors among the generations as it allows us to keep in the loop of family and friends and what’s going on in our lives without actually speaking to each other (Chung et al. 2010, pp. 1674-1684)

In conclusion Facebook has eased into our busy lifestyles and for some it has become part of a daily routine. This social networking wonder provides a variety of opportunities, it helps society keep in touch with loved ones that are situated in a geographic distance, it may help individuals reunite with their long lost friend from school, it could erase the cultural differences and judgmental barriers that may usually limit the opportunity of finding a new friend that shares your common interests or it could help you find a new companion. (Cooke 2011, pp. ix-4) Facebook is a tool of convenience which is invaluable concerning our busy lifestyles may not be always available. Overall it allows us to experience a connection to one another giving us an understanding that we have similar needs when it comes to communication and acceptance. (Turkle, 2011, p17)

References

Cooke, T., 2011, Help I’m a Facebookaholic: Inside the Crazy World of Social Networking, John Blake,

EBL Ebook Library, viewed 1st February, 2012.

Ellison, N, Steinfield, C, & Lampe, C 2007, 'The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites', Journal Of Computer-Mediated Communication, Vol 12, no 4, pp. 1143-1168, Communication & Mass Media Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 2 February 2012.

Collier, M 2010, Facebook & Twitter For Seniors For Dummies, Wiley Publishing, Canada.

Chung, J, Park, N, Wang, H, Faulk, J & Mclaughlin, M 2010, "Age differences in perceptions of online community participation among non – users: An extension of the Technology Acceptance Model",

Computers in Human Behavior archive, Volume 26 Issue 6, November, 2010 pp. 1674 – 1684,Science Direct, viewed 4 February 2012.

Turkle, S 2011, Alone Together: Why we expect more from technology & less from each other, Basic Books, USA