Q: Dual Identities

Q: Why are people drawn to having an "Internet alter ego?" Is it an insecurity or ego issue? In other words, why are people likely to embellish truths to appear "better" online? This is not just relevant for Internet dating or chat rooms, but even on sites like MySpace or Facebook. – Si Robins, April 17.

Thank you for the question Si. People are drawn to the internet for many reasons. Internet users’ attraction to identity experimentation online includes a range from seeking status and stardom to dating and self-presentation. In the world of blogging and virtual communities, individuals seek status by posting large amounts of advice, opinion, and information for strangers and the act is motivated by reciprocity (Lampel & Bhalla, 2007). These communities, like Myspace, Yahoo!Answers, and Blogger, allow participants to freely communicate massive amounts of information to an unlimited number of readers. “Some authors manage to create a persona, making themselves a "celebrity" among the community of bloggers [and media]. … This small group of A-list bloggers has arguably the largest influence on the public's perception of blogging because of their high profile” (Trammell & Keshelashvili, 2005, p. 969). Trammell and Keshelashvili (2005) found that these A-list bloggers strategically balance their online likeability and their true values and opinions. This impression management strategy is successful when an author demonstrates competence, appear modest while promoting his or her abilities. Authors retain readers by appearing exciting and asking visitors to comment on questions (Trammell & Keshelashvili).

However, in online dating, participants want to present the ideal self that is also the actual self. They do not attempt to gain stardom by writing updated blogs and participate in a network of links from and to other blog pages. The goal of online dating is to present one’s self truthfully and include characteristics that attract others. Participants are confronted with presenting self within the limitations of the medium. Facts and strategies that are included in computer-mediated dating are much different that what is included when meeting face-to-face (Ellison, Heino, & Gibbs, 2006, p. 416). In any given situation, an individual interacting with another will use some type of self-presentation strategy. With the lack of social cues and sense of anonymity, users feel expressive freedom and are less likely to refrain from self-promotion and identity experiments.


References:

Ellison, N., Heino, R., & Gibbs, J. (2006). Managing impressions online: Self-presentation processes in the online dating environment. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11, 415-441.

Lampel, J., and Bhalla, A. (2007). The role of status seeking in online communities: Giving the gift of experience. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12, Article 5. Retrieved May 1, 2007 from http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol12/issue2/lampel.html

Trammell, K. D., & Keshelashvili, A. (2005). Examinin the new influencers: A self-presentation study of A-list blogs. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 82, 968-982.