Document Type

Dissertation - University Access Only

Award Date

2004

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Sociology and Rural Studies

First Advisor

Diane Kayongo Male

Abstract

This dissertation uses theoretical perspectives on community building, identity construction and social honor and face to understand community weblogs. The following research questions were addressed: To what extent can community style blogs be understood as examples of community building as conceptualized by Durkheim? To what extent are blog link relationships examples of Simmel' s ideas on the web of group affiliation? Can community style blogs be characterized or described in terms of Goffinan's ideas on presentation of self? How can community style blogs be understood as a form of Social Identification Deindividuated Effect? How can community style blogs be understood as a form of social shame and trust in the formation of group cohesion? The study involved five days of interaction between members of a community style weblog. One level of study involved the front-page postings on the weblog. A second level of study examined the etiquette and policy page of the web log, and the third level of study looked at the question-asking page of the community web log. Findings were most consistent with the literature on formation of a society, rules of conduct and consequences of conforming or not conforming to community rules of conduct. Other findings were consistent with the literature on group norms, common interest and group cohesion.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright