Globalisation and Digital Social World

Question 1

Globalisation

Answer 1

Process in which groups of people become interconnected on a global scale due to developments in communication, technology and transportation.

Question 2

Examples for Economy interconnectedness:

Answer 2

Global trade
The Uk is now a service sector economy= provides global corporations
IMF
World bank
Helps undeveloped countries- migration

Question 3

Examples for Politics Interconnectedness;

Answer 3

Nato
Alliances
United Nations
Allies

Question 4

Examples for Nation interconnectedness;

Question 5

Examples for Media interconnectedness;

Answer 5

Advancement for communications, news and global affairs

Question 6

Key concepts to explain globalisation;

Answer 6

• The digital revolution
• The global village
• Cultural homogenisation
• Virtual communities
• Digital social Networks and Social media
• Big Data
• Network Society
• Media convergence

Question 7

When was the internet invented and what for?

Answer 7

1960s and for Military defence systems in the Cold War and government to share information

Question 8

What is the idea for digital revolution?

Answer 8

An example of digital revolution would be fast food chains- you don’t have to go and order it you can order it online and now get it delivered.

Question 9

Global Village?

Answer 9

Where people create and maintain relationships with people online

Question 10

Mcluhan-Global village

Answer 10

• Predicted global village would occur
  -World= interconnectedness by an electronic nervous system
  -Suggests information can be passed electronically “moving at the speed of light” creating new patterns of communication and social interactions.
  -everybody’s lives are created by electronic involvement in another’s life

Question 11

Cultural Homogenisation

Answer 11

idea that different cultures that are separated more similar due to technology

Question 12

Capitalist ideology

Answer 12

Privatised system of ownership

Question 13

Consumerism

Answer 13

Economic/ social system encouraging consumption of goods

Question 14

Secular ideas

Answer 14

Non religious ideas about society

Question 15

Increased Individualism

Answer 15

More concerned about wants and needs of individuals

Question 16

Friedman

Answer 16

argues for cultural homogenisation claiming the world is going through a process of Americanisation

Question 17

Fukuyama

Answer 17

Cultural homogenisation claiming that the world will continue to be dominated by Western, capitalist, democratic ideologies in the wake of the fall of the Soviet Union and capitalism

Question 18

Spybey’s

Answer 18

Argues against cultural homogenisation claims that the mastery of processes connected to industrial and post-industrial capitalism can be directed from non-Western countries (eg. Japan)

Question 19

Giddens

Answer 19

Argues against cultural homogenisation claiming that reverse colonialism is occuring in parts of the west eg. Los Angeles

Question 20

Fairweather and Rogerson

Answer 20

Argue cultural homogenisation is occurring:
-Computer software- reflects western ways of thinking
- Advertising-Broadcasted on a global scale- western beauty standards
- Anti-social behaviour= Internet can reflect western ideas about morality and deviance- accessing private information, sexism and harassment
- Digital communication does not give rules or police morality and ethics

Question 21

Virtual Communities

Answer 21

Refers to a social network of individuals creating an online community which may not or reflects lives offline

Question 22

Where are virtual communities formed?

Answer 22

Message boards, chat rooms, virtual worlds and group pages

Question 23

Carter; Cyber security

Answer 23

Show characteristics of a city Allowed people to meet others and develop connections with similar interests. Found that in some cases online friendships lead members to then meet each other in reality.

Question 24

Boellstorff- Second Life

Answer 24

Create virtual representations of themselves, called avatars. Resemble themselves. Avatars can communicate;
local chat
group chat, global instant messaging and voice.
Reports of crimes linked to prostitution,
pornography and rape have been reported. In-world
gambling, companies and universities have also been
banned.

Question 25

Boellstorff- How are boundaries maintained?

Answer 25

Policing, patrolling the behaviour.

Question 26

Digital Social Networks and Social Media

Answer 26

Existed in face to face form. Growth of digital technology has lead to online: - Friendship groups - Work Networks - Family networks -Networks linked to hobbies, interests or religion Forms and maintains relationships

Question 27

Four key facts/ statistics about social media in contemporary society

Answer 27

- Average daily time on social media - Highest shape score recorded in 2023 20 mill lower -11.9 billion spent on tik Tok shop -

Question 28

Big Data:

Answer 28

Internet= increased of volume data Large sets of data that can be analysed to identify trends and patterns in behaviour and interactions

Question 29

Volume

Answer 29

Excessive amounts of data from online shopping and social media

Question 30

Velocity

Answer 30

Digital data is transported at high speeds now

Question 31

Variety

Answer 31

Different types of data

Question 32

Variability

Answer 32

Data flows= inconsistent suddenly data grows based on human behaviour

Question 33

Complexity

Answer 33

Data gathered from multiple sources

Question 34

The Network Society

Answer 34

internet enhanced communications between individuals in post - industrial society Those who do have access to the online world have greater social capital - greater rewards with regards employability

Question 35

Social Capital

Answer 35

Networks and relationships and norms facilitate among groups within society

Question 36

Castells

Answer 36

New Phase of History: Globalisation marks a new era driven by information technologies reshaping society and the economy. From Industrialism to Informationalism: Society evolved from industrialism to 'informationalism,' where information and knowledge are central (banking, big tech, advertising). The Information Age: New technologies act as the organising logic of the modern world, influencing economies, politics, and culture. New Social Movements: Digital networks empower social movements, challenging traditional nation-states. Network Society: Power is held through networks; communities and individuals can be excluded or 'switched off,' leading to marginalisation. Loss of Identity and Security: Traditional identities lose value, and people feel disconnected and powerless despite being digitally connected. Irony of Connectivity: More connections lead to less control, making individuals feel lost in the network society.

Question 37

Media Convergence

Answer 37

When different types of media come together and accessed through one device or platform, Includes how different platforms connect, like linking your Instagram to Facebook.

Question 38

Boyle

Answer 38

Different forms of media can now be accessed on one device and stored on one website. Social media convergence: Platforms are interlinked — e.g., accessing Facebook friends on Instagram. Cultural impact: Promotes Western, capitalist values like profit, private ownership, and conspicuous consumption.

Question 39

Problems defining globalisation

Answer 39

It is not a universally positive process - it actually exacerbates inequalities across the world - Follows Western Values - Marginalisation- digital divide - Explotation -Impacts environment It does not occur everywhere at the same time -Sale ports - Some cultures untouched by globalisation - In 2020 around 90% of North America internet users less in Africa It does not always lead to ‘cultural homogenisation’ where one global culture is created It will not always lead to liberal, democratic values such as individualism, diversity and choice. Many across the world will actually resist this

Question 40

Fundamental definition of globalisation that it is based around:

Answer 40

- Growth of digital communication technologies. -Safe, fast travel is widely available. -Global economies and trade are connected. -Countries form unions, and some nations break apart. -These changes create a global culture and improve living standards.

Question 41

Impact of Digital Communication on Relationships:

Answer 41

How can it be affected positively and negatively by digital forms communications

Question 42

Positive- Granovetter

Answer 42

Weak ties (acquaintances) are as important as strong ties (close friends/family) for social relationships. Strength of a tie depends on: Time spent together Emotional intensity Intimacy and reciprocity (mutual response) Weak ties help connect people to different social networks, expanding opportunities and information. Losing weak ties can harm a social network more than losing strong ones because weak ties create bridges between groups.

Question 43

Positive: Kraut

Answer 43

The internet helps build and maintain social ties — both strong (close friends) and weak (acquaintances). They challenged 1990s research that claimed the internet harmed relationships, arguing it actually keeps people connected. Without the internet, some ties wouldn’t form or last, weakening social networks and social capital. Globalisation’s impact: Positive — it promotes online connections and companionship.

Question 44

Positive- Shaw and Grant

Answer 44

Shaw & Gant: The internet can improve mental health and prevent loneliness. Their experiment rejected earlier ideas linking internet use to depression, loneliness, and stress. Over time, using chat rooms boosted social support and self-esteem while reducing anxiety and loneliness. Globalisation’s impact: More internet use leads to more connections, friendships, and better mental wellbeing.

Question 45

Negative: Turkle

Answer 45

Turkle: The internet makes us feel connected, but actually causes isolation. New "normal" behaviors include: Using phones in meetings, classrooms, even funerals. Families ignoring each other while sitting together. Texting instead of paying attention to real-life events. This harms relationships and identities — we risk losing each other instead of truly connecting. The internet gives us power to edit and control how others see us, but Turkle questions whether this is good or bad. Overall: Increased internet use pulls us away from real-life relationships, keeping us focused on screens instead of people.

Question 46

Negative: Miller

Answer 46

Miller: Facebook can both help create relationships and break them down, including marriages. Facebook challenges privacy and can lead to social problems and scandals, like exposing infidelity. Some people trust online information more than face-to-face communication. Impact on relationships: The internet makes it easier to form new relationships while already in one, which can lead to adultery and break down existing relationships.

Question 47

Negative: Baudrillard

Answer 47

Baudrillard: Digital media has replaced real human interactions with shallow, fragmented ones. In a media-saturated society, we no longer engage with the "real" world but with simulations (media representations), making relationships superficial. People now relate to each other as images or commodities, not as whole, complex individuals. Social media speeds up this process, creating curated, artificial interactions that weaken real connections. The result: Digital media turns personal interactions into shallow exchanges, undermining authentic relationships and creating a fragmented sense of reality.

Question 48

The Impact of digital communication on Identity and Post modernism

Answer 48

Meant people have more choice and resources through which to develop identities Supported by postmodernist theory

Question 49

Post Modernism approach to Globalisation and Digital communication

Answer 49

Postmodern theory shows how digital communication helps people shape their own identities. It’s not about spreading dominant ideas (like patriarchy or capitalism). Key ideas: Identities are fluid (they can change). People have control over how they present themselves online.

Question 50

Fluidity and Fragmentation

Answer 50

Idea that identities aren't fixed and instead made up of a range aspects.

Question 51

Fluidity and Fragmentation example?

Answer 51

Influenced by things online such as; Insta and YouTube

Question 52

Choice

Answer 52

Internet gives more choice over life style

Question 53

Choice examples:

Answer 53

Surroundings, online shopping and entertainment

Question 54

Ellison:

Answer 54

People can create multiple online identities, and their online activities can be tracked, shared, and reveal a lot about them and society. Impact on offline life: Online identities can affect real-life experiences, both positively and negatively. Positive impact: Digital media helps people explore and express themselves, enriching their offline lives. Negative impact: It can lead to privacy risks, judgment, and pressure to conform, which may harm self-esteem or cause misrepresentation.

Question 55

Positive impact on identity: Bjorklund:

Answer 55

Digital platforms allow people to shape and show their identities in real-time. Instead of reflecting on their life later, people define themselves through continuous self-presentation on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. These platforms act like real-time autobiographies. The lines between public and private selves are blurred as people interact online. This shows how digital identity gives people more control over how they present themselves

Question 56

Positive impact on identity: Hart:

Answer 56

Social media lets people shape and share their lives, creating meaningful online and offline identities. Social media allows people to share important values, shaping their identities based on personal and social experiences. Argues that online interactions are important and reflect real-life social connections. Digital media helps people express their values and create authentic identities, connecting meaningfully with others.

Question 57

Negative impact on identity: Case

Answer 57

Posting online can cause problems, especially for adolescents, like mistakes, privacy issues, and conflicts. Case (2007): Adolescents have two selves—online and offline. Mistakes online are hard to erase, and private data may stay even after being deleted. This shows how digital media can negatively impact identities, creating lasting problems, especially for young people.

Question 58

Negative impact on identity: Baudrillard:

Answer 58

Media makes it hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake, creating a "hyper-reality." People get so caught up in this fake world that they can’t tell what’s real anymore. Social media makes this worse, as people perform their lives online instead of living them. This confusion between real and virtual selves hurts identity, making it hard to understand who we really are.