Item Details

title

Understanding the Imaginary Audience and the Personal Fable in a Social Media Environment

author

Cingel, Drew Patrick

abstract

Current research has found evidence for the emergence of Adolescent Egocentrism in later ages than previously thought. This current study sought to extend this contemporary understanding of adolescent egocentrism by providing a possible alternative explanation for the reemergence of adolescence in young adults. The high rate of Facebook use among young people has necessitated an examination of social network usage among children and adolescents under the auspices of developmental theory. Thus, this research study examined the relationship between Facebook use, customization, and developmental constructs associated with Adolescent Egocentrism; namely, Imaginary Audience and the Personal Fable. Developmental theory, however, cannot account for differences between Facebook users in older age ranges. Therefore, this study also examined the relationship between Facebook use, customization, and the trait variable of self-consciousness among adults. Through this examination of both trait and developmental variables, this research study examined Facebook with a sample ranging in age from 9-78. Results suggest a relationship between Facebook use and heightened Imaginary Audience and Personal Fable. Taking the results together, the authors forward a theoretical model to explain the cycle from Facebook use to Imaginary Audience and back to Facebook use. Theoretical implications for the future study of Facebook use, specific Facebook usage behaviors, and developmental variables are discussed.

subject

Adolescents

Children

Facebook

Imaginary Audience

Personal Fable

Social Media

contributor

Krcmar, Marina (committee chair)

Mitra, Ananda (committee member)

Wood, Dustin (committee member)

date

2012-06-12T08:35:49Z (accessioned)

2014-06-12T08:30:07Z (available)

2012 (issued)

degree

Communication (discipline)

embargo

2014-06-12 (terms)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/37260 (uri)

language

en (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

type

Thesis