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Uses and Motivations for Facebook Use Among College Students. Abigail Price Taylor Wade Arika Zimmerman. Introduction. A wide array of social media is available to suit all interests, age groups, and purposes. Each of these social media options fulfill different needs among its users.
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Uses and Motivations for Facebook Use Among College Students Abigail Price Taylor Wade Arika Zimmerman
Introduction • A wide array of social media is available to suit all interests, age groups, and purposes. • Each of these social media options fulfill different needs among its users. Why do College Students use Facebook?
Purpose Of Study • To study the relationship between college students’ and their use of one of the most prominent social media platforms, Facebook. • Relevant to: • College students (and other age groups) • To make themselves aware of how the information they consume on Facebook could potentially affect their self-concept and their need for virtual connection • Importance: • Provides insight to how feedback on social media networks affects how a person view himself or herself
Uses and Gratifications Theory • This theory focuses on why people use particular types of media. • Katz main assumption in this theory is that people choose to use particular media, such as a specific television show or video game, to satisfy a personal need or desire (Griffin, 2012). • By looking at why individuals use a certain medium, media creators can tailor their social networks or types of media to attract a certain population or to fulfill certain desires
More Uses and Gratification • By understanding the needs that individuals have for media, it becomes easier to explain and be aware of the effects that the media can have on its users (Griffin, 2012). • The following research uses the Uses and Gratifications theory as a theoretical framework to reach for a deeper understanding into why people use Facebook and what they do with it.
Literature Review OverviewThe Cons of social media use • “Addicted media consumers feel compelled to consume media despite potentially negative consequences that make continued use appear irrational or out of control, even in their own eyes” (LaRose, Lin, & Eastin. p.226, 2003) • Overuse of social media may result in narcissistic personality traits (Buffardi & Campbell, 2008). • Students generalized to be advanced in multitasking as a result of social media usage • Found to reduce focus and attention span (Corrin, Lockyer, & Bennet, 2010).
Literature Review overviewThe pros of social media use • Facebook is used to: • connect with old friends • stay in the loop with current friends • make new friends (Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe 2007) • fulfill desires for leisure, entertainment, and status (Starkman, 2007 as cited in Urista & Qingwen, 2008) Additionally… Positive feedback on social network profiles often leads to greater self-esteem outside of the virtual world
Literature Review • Add info
Literature Review • Add info
Hypothesis #1 Receiving positive feedback on Facebook increases users self-concept • Independent Variables: • Positive feedback. • Conceptual Definition: • Any type of comment or interaction from Facebook “friends” that supports the Facebook user. • Example: “ I agree,” “Congratulations,” and “Beautiful picture!”
Hypothesis #1 • Dependent Variable: • Facebook user’s self-concept • Conceptual Definition: “the mental image one has of ones self” (Mariam-Webster, 2011). • Operational Definition: Measured by how a person reacts emotionally when people interact with his or her posts on Facebook. • Whether they feel acknowledged, accepted, or gain confidence • Measured on 5-point Likert Scale • Low scores=low self-concept • High scores=high self-concept
Hypothesis #1 Measuring Scale • Add info
Hypothesis #2 The more a person uses Facebook, the more they feel a need for virtual camaraderie. • Independent Variable: Frequency of Facebook use. • Dependent Variable: Individuals motivations for using Facebook. • Conceptual Definition: • Operational Definition:
Hypothesis #2 Measuring Scale • Add info
Research Question: Is there a gender difference in the motivations for using Facebook. • Independent Variable: The Gender of the user. • Dependent Variable: The users’ motivations for Facebook use. • Conceptual Definition: • Operational Definition:
Research Question Measuring Scale • Add info
Methodology • Convenience (Non Probability) Sampling • Face to Face Survey Question with brief conversation before giving out the survey. • Half Females, Half Males • Likert Scale Designed Questionnaire • Survey used 5-Point Likert Scales
Collection Of Data • WHERE DID WE FIND THE PEOPLE/WHEN? • HOW MANY TOTAL RESPONDANTS DID WE HAVE?
Conducting The Pilot Study • In our pilot study, we gave our surveys to 6 students. • Errors found in the pilot study: • Spelling • Question Numbers (Two #2s)