Impact of Digital Forms of Communication on Relationships Flashcards
What does Granovetter note
That the strength of ties between two individuals can be measured in four ways:
- The amount of time spent together
- The emotional intensity of the relationship
- The level of intimacy
- The degree of reciprocity
What does Granovetter observe about digital forms of communications
That they are advantageous because they allow instantaneous communication with others, and overcome barriers to communication such as distance, social status and disability.
What do some sociologists argue
That accumulating connections or online relationships is empowering and enriching because it produces social capital
What did Shaw and Grant find
That the internet use significantly decreased loneliness and depression while perceived social support and self-esteem increased. However negative consequences include conflict caused by others violating privacy. Anonymity makes it easier for someone to bully others online
What did Miller and Clayton find
That time spent on Facebook and Twitter could cause damage to relationships and marriages
What does Miller observe
That critics of Facebook suggest that ‘friending’ represents a kind of inflation of superficial and weak relationships that diminishes the value of true friendship and can feel inauthentic because they lack intimacy
What can digital technology do
Can diminish the quality of face-to-face interaction if people are always focused on their phone and constantly checking for texts and social network updates
What does Turtle argue about relationships
That the photo-communities of social networks sites such as Second life are increasingly replacing real communities composed of family, extended kin and neighbours
As a result, the ‘post-familial’ family in which family members spend more time interacting with their gadgets than with each other is becoming the norm
