Social Network Sites Overview
24 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

How do social network sites (SNSs) differ from early online communities in terms of structure?

  • SNSs prioritize group affiliations over personal connections.
  • SNSs are organized around personal networks with individuals at the center. (correct)
  • SNSs operate without any organizational framework.
  • SNSs use a hierarchical structure based on topics.
  • What aspect of social network sites has received significant scholarly attention?

  • User interface usability.
  • Technical developments in web design.
  • Online advertising strategies.
  • Impression management and friendship performance. (correct)
  • What are 'public displays of connection' in social network sites often used for?

  • To create profit through advertisements.
  • To navigate and validate identity information. (correct)
  • To advertise products.
  • To engage in online debates.
  • What primary goal has research focused on regarding social network sites?

    <p>Surveying diverse topics related to SNSs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of online environments does SNS research draw parallels with?

    <p>Online dating profiles and MUDs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In examining Friendster, what significant feature was highlighted by boyd in 2004?

    <p>Public articulation of social networks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which issue related to social networks has become a growing concern for researchers?

    <p>Privacy issues and data security.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What skill do participants in social network sites often develop when managing their profiles?

    <p>Self-presentation and impression management.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a unique feature of MySpace compared to other social networking sites?

    <p>Friend requests require no bi-directional confirmation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Facebook manage profile visibility among users?

    <p>Users in the same network can view each other's profiles by default.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the type of connections on social networking sites?

    <p>Connections can occur without bi-directional confirmation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates LinkedIn in terms of profile visibility?

    <p>Visibility is determined by whether the viewer has a paid account.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a common misconception about the term 'Friends' in social networking sites?

    <p>It always implies a close personal relationship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do profile features typically vary among social networking sites?

    <p>Some sites have default profiles visible to search engines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do applications play in social networking sites like Facebook?

    <p>They enhance the overall profile experience.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which is a significant aspect of the public display of connections in social networking sites?

    <p>Friends lists foster interaction within the network.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Skog (2005) find was a significant influence on user behavior on LunarStorm?

    <p>The status feature indicating activity and authenticity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to boyd (2006a), how do 'Friends' on SNSs differ from traditional friends?

    <p>They provide context and influence behavioral norms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon did boyd describe relating to user profiles on social networking sites?

    <p>Profiles are often manipulated or created for deception.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do friendship links play in self-presentation on social networking sites?

    <p>They serve as identity markers for the profile owner.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of Friendster testimonials was noted by boyd and Heer (2006)?

    <p>They serve as self-presentational devices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the work of Zinman and Donath (2007) focus on regarding MySpace?

    <p>How spammers exploit user connections for targeting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Fono and Raynes-Goldie (2006) analyze in the context of LiveJournal?

    <p>User understandings of public displays of connections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What influence does the attractiveness of one's friends have on social networking according to Walther et al.?

    <p>It significantly impacts impression formation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship

    • Social network sites (SNSs) are web-based services that allow individuals to:
      • Create a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system.
      • Articulate a list of other users with whom they have connections.
      • View and traverse their connections, as well as connections made by others.
    • SNSs have varying features and cultures, supporting a wide range of interests.
    • Cultures around SNSs are diverse and may be influenced by pre-existing social networks, shared interests, or identities (political views, racial, sexual, or national).
    • SNSs incorporate various communication tools like mobile connectivity, blogging, and photo/video sharing.
    • The key difference between SNS and other computer-mediated communication (CMC) is the ability to articulate and make visible social networks.
    • SNSs enable connections that wouldn't normally occur between "latent ties".
    • SNSs are often used to connect with pre-existing social networks, rather than meeting new people.
    • SNS users create profiles including a profile photo and information such as age, location, and interests.
    • Profiles vary in visibility: some are public by default or customizable to "Friends only".
    • A visible "Friends List" is a primary feature distinguishing SNSs from other CMC platforms.
    • Users can communicate via comments and private messaging on SNS profiles.
    • Early SNS sites evolved from different platforms; some started as message boards, others were created to maintain pre-existing relationships (e.g., high schools or universities).
    • SixDegrees.com is considered the first recognizable SNS, launched in 1997.
    • Many early SNSs focused on connecting people and establishing online communities.
    • Some sites, like MySpace initially, gained popularity, but later faced challenges related to user engagement.
    • Other SNSs like Facebook and Friendster focused on connecting users' pre-existing social networks more effectively.
    • Some SNSs are designed to target specific demographic groups (e.g., businesses or ethnic communities).
    • The emergence of SNSs is linked to wider societal shifts and an increasing reliance on the internet for social connection.
    • Many academic scholars focus on impression management, relationship development, and identity within SNSs.

    History of Social Network Sites

    • The first recognizable SNS launched in 1997 (SixDegrees.com).
    • The early years (1997-2001) saw the development of community tools supporting profile creation, articulation of relationships (Friends), and the ability to traverse such connections.
    • Sites like AsianAvenue, BlackPlanet, and MiGente focused on ethnic communities, offering profile creation and social connections across diverse groups.
    • Sites began to emerge with specific user focus such as Ryze (focused on business networking), Cyworld (Korean virtual worlds), and LiveJournal (blogging with expanded features).
    • The rise of Friendster in 2002 aimed to connect friends-of-friends for dating, but later faced challenges due to rapid growth.
    • MySpace became popular and integrated features such as messaging, multimedia, and band-fan interaction.
    • Other SNS services adopted characteristics from early adopters, or focused on specific communities (like colleges or interest groups).

    Previous Scholarship

    • Scholarship on SNSs encompasses various disciplines and methodologies.
    • Key areas of study include impression management, friendship performance, network structures, online/offline connections, and privacy issues.
    • Researchers use various methods including survey data, content analysis of profiles, and observations.
    • Current research focuses on the ways SNSs impact user behaviors both online and offline.

    Overview of This Special Theme Section

    • This section explores various SNS platforms like BlackPlanet, Cyworld, Dodgeball, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.
    • Different perspectives and theories are used to examine the nature of online communities.
    • The influence of SNSs in relationship and identity development is examined.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    This quiz explores the definition, history, and scholarship around social network sites (SNSs). It highlights key features, cultural influences, and the unique aspects that differentiate SNSs from other forms of communication. Test your knowledge on how social connections are facilitated through these platforms.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser