ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing ArtsISSN (Online): 2582-7472
PROJECTING SELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA: A DRAMATURGICAL CONFLICT Dr. Chitra Tanwar 1 , Dr. Anil Kumar Pandey 1 1 Assistant
Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Government Post
Graduate College, Panchkula, India
1. INTRODUCTION Social Media and virtual environments have entered our lives in a significant way. The use of social media has turned into an essential need in our lives today. The entire fabric of human correspondence has seen a significant shift. The way people communicate today is nothing like the communication that happened in pre-computer-mediated communication times. The advent of various social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp has thrown various opportunities to its users in terms of identity projections. Alongside diminishing the expense of information, has made it feasible for social media users to have for themselves an array of user-centric spaces which they could fill with content that is user-generated along with a compatibly varied set of opportunities for connecting these spaces to develop what is known as the virtual social network. This content, for the most part, targets displaying oneself on social networking platforms. The impacts that one has on his character while going between the genuine and virtual self are manifolds. Tanwar (2020). states that human beings connect with an agenda for various reasons. Social Media has given an innovative dimension to the way humans connect. The contemporary communication scene has seen a revolution in the form of digital media. A large majority have social media presence in one form or another. Social networking sites have become virtual homes of users. As mentioned by Boyd (2015), social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, have been entwined in the digital arrangement of regular household groups and institutions all over the world. This interaction is so strong that the real and virtual selves are highly impacted by each other's presence. The identities that one has on virtual platforms at times affect real lives as well. This cause and effect can be studied in the light of the theory of Dramaturgy. Erving Gofman, in his book 1959 titled 'The presentation of self’, proposed the theory of Dramaturgy. Goffman (2002). He put it forth that since birth, we are thrust on a stage where we kind of play a certain role. The place where we enact our role is the front stage. We later retract to what is termed backstage, where we relax and plan for our next performance on the front stage. We need not act there and can be our real selves. Goffman proposed that our life is like a play that is never-ending and people around us are actors. He assumed that when a person is born, he is thrust into his everyday life which is like a stage. Since our birth, we become a part of the process of socialization. We start understanding how to play our roles in life from the people around us. We start to enact our roles with others whereas they start enacting their roles with us. Goffman projected that whatever we do, we are living some kind of a role play on the stage termed life. He also distinguished the front and back stages of the idea. Examples of the front stages can be a wedding, a lecture, a dinner table, or in this study, social media platforms. Hence any place where we present ourselves is a front stage. Looking at how important social media is in our lives we can also understand how important the performance we make on social media platforms is as a front stage. Further, sometimes we withdraw to the backstage of life. These are isolated zones where we don’t need to act. We also use this occasion to rehearse and concoct for returning to the front stages. While using the stage of social media as a front stage we portray our virtual selves in a specific manner. This study extends Goffman's theory of Dramaturgy to contemporary social media. The virtual worlds are the front stages of the social media users where they display themselves to their fellow social media users, and their real lives are backstage where they plan these virtual presentations. The social media profile that they own allows them to either extend their real selves or create a completely new virtual self for themselves. This virtual self or 'Avatar' can be an impression that they want others to presume about themselves. Goffman further coined the terms impression management and manner of interacting. Impression Management denotes a practice of manipulating impressions of other people about self in the front stage of one's life. According to Goffman, we use numerous mechanisms which Goffman calls sign vehicles to present ourselves together as fellows. These usually utilized sign vehicles are our actual looks, group environments, and how to associate. As far as virtual entertainment, the image that an individual sets as his profile picture, the social arrangement that he exhibits to the public which remembers the urban communities one lives for or goes, the financial status that one offers on his walls, and the connections that one displays add to the front stages via web-based entertainment for the impression the board. How individual deals with these virtual personalities talk a ton about him. An individual who goes to distant spots displays a vehicle, or costly embellishments mean his significance, influence, and riches. Then again, an individual with no such history via virtual entertainment would be viewed as a standard individual. The feelings we support provide individuals with a thought of our socio-social convictions. The posts that one offers on their virtual entertainment profile are an augmentation of one's actual self. Then, how an individual look matters a ton; physical make-up and garments assume a significant part in making the initial feeling on individuals. The clothing an individual embellishes likewise discusses his character, belief system, and foundation, and his y structure talks about the needs and the determinations of an individual. While actual wellness means discipline, actual excellence signifies benevolence. As per Goffman, the style of cooperation is likewise an image. Non-verbal correspondence can't be underestimated while stating the worth of correspondence. Goffman states that our way of interaction is also a sign vehicle. Among the most important ways to communicate is non-verbal communication. The gestures of a person, facial expressions, etc., help understand how he interacts. Gestures like hugging, shaking hands, etc., showcase the type of relationship people share. Extending the idea of Goffman to contemporary social media, profile pictures are like a mirror to one. Wants to be perceived by others. Siibak (2009) says that there is a striking difference when looking at profile pictures of girls and boys. His study revealed that when girls choose their visual selves, they value aesthetics and self-refection more than boys. Social networking sites like Facebook have a complete gamut of emojis that can be used to convey emotions through facial expressions and gestures. Golbeck et al. (2011). puts forth that social media is one place where social media users present themselves to the world, showcasing their details and insights into their lives. Georgieva (2011). assumed three types of virtual selves that people have. It was further analysed, and the following analysis defined: people with a virtual self that is more or less similar to their real self; people with a virtual self that is more or less different from their real self; and a virtual self of people addicted to the virtual space (which may include the similar and different types). Thus, it can be derived that in the category where real and virtual selves are not identical, which is majorly correct in the case of pre-day social media users, there is an urge to make others believe that the virtual and real selves are the same and how one acts in virtual life further affects how he acts in his real life. It is a kind of self-confirmation to believe in the virtual world; one wants to be real. Evans (2012). states that when given sans context, there is no 'Self,' which means that virtual settings, as with any non-virtual settings, can offer backgrounds in which the 'Self' is a recurrent state of emergence and re-emergence. Thus, the virtual self may affect the real self. Georgieva (2011). further states that the cyber world was mirroring the real world: by effects of breaking news, by the virtual money being real capital, by relationships that start and end with online activity. The virtual and real selves, thus, in reality, are intertwined. 2. Objectives The objectives of this
study are to look at the opinions of contemporary social media users about
their opinion on 1) If how one
presents oneself on social media affects how he acts in reality. 2) If
social media can honestly introduce an individual’s character. 3. Methodology The study applied a mixed-method approach for data collection. The quantitative part of the study deals with conducting an online survey. The study locates its universe in social media platforms. The number of inhabitants in the study are clients of person-to-person communication locales like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The maximum variation purposive sampling also called heterogeneous
purposive sampling, used in the study, helped the researcher to look into a
diverse range of cases (audiences or social media users) that are pertinent to
the scene of virtual personality development and viewpoints connected with it. The strategy allowed the researcher to acquire a
comprehensive perspective on the various projections of the virtual character
of the social media clients from different points. The review utilizes the most
extreme variety of purposive testing to gather the information. Information
from 500 respondents was gathered through a google form. A Likert scale was
embraced for acquiring replies to the inquiries. The information gathered was additionally dissected utilizing
the chi-square test around six factors to be specific age, orientation, Educational
Qualification, Occupation, relationship status, and the area of the home of the
respondents. The p-values were considered to grasp the connection between the
factors and the goals. The results were further analysed in coherence with
interviews conducted with communication experts, sociologists, and
psychologists as the qualitative part of the study. Two experts from the
fields of communication, sociology, and psychology were interviewed and
insights were gained into expert opinions against the opinions of the
population. Hence the study provides a holistic inquiry into how the theory of
dramaturgy finds an extension in current-day social media along with the
effects it can have on the identity of an individual. 3.1. Data Analysis Table 1
Table 2
Table 1 and Table 2 show the opinions respondents
shared about how one presents oneself on social media affects how one acts in
reality. 51 (10.2%) respondents mentioned that they strongly agreed with this
opinion whereas 208(41.6%) said they agreed. 192(38.4%) respondents were
neutral to the opinion and (40) eight percent disagreed with the opinion.
8(1.6%) respondents strongly disagreed with the opinion. The p values indicate
a significant relationship between gender, age, and area of residence with an
opinion on how one presents oneself on social media affecting how one acts in
reality.14.1of % of female respondents strongly agree with the opinion as
compared to 7.8of % of male respondents. 34. of 6% of respondents the age of
>40 agreed with the opinion as compared to 47 in the age group of 19-30 and
26.7% in the age group of <=18. 50% of residents of rural areas were neutral
to the opinion as compared to 36.7% of semi-urban and 32.7% of urban residents.
Figure 1 Figure 1
Table 3
Table 4
Table 3 and Table 4 show the opinions of the
respondents on whether social media can
truthfully present a person's identity. 88(17.6%) mentioned that they
strongly agreed with the opinion whereas 153(30.6%) agreed with the opinion.
170 (34%) respondents were neutral on the opinion. 74 (14.8%)
respondents disagreed with the opinion whereas 13 (2.6%) strongly disagreed.
The p values indicated significant relation between educational qualification
and opinion. 20% of
respondents who were 10th agreed with the opinion as compared to
33.3% 12th,35.7% graduates, and 26.2% postgraduates. Figure 2 Figure 2
3.2.
Data Interpretation The results show that social media usage is
increasing day by day. Users tend to be constantly involved with their virtual
selves. A large number of users join the
social media revolution every day increasing the number of users. Ryan et al. (2017). mentions that the usage of social media is increasing rapidly, and one of
the major deliberations of the 21st-century orbits around how using
these applications will impact the social relationships of users. Yoon and Vargas (2014). mentioned that the virtual setup is a “vehicle”
to announce, outdo and model “avatars” as in virtual selves. Virtual lives
have become an important part of real lives and avatars are thus entwined with
real selves as well. This shows how dramaturgy comes to foreplay while
traveling on and off social media and real selves. The first
section of the study asked for the opinion of the respondents about how one
presents oneself on social media affects how one acts in reality. The data
analysis suggests that most respondents believed that authentic selves are
affected by how one works on social media. The dramaturgy involved is obvious
in the user’s opinion. The social media users will enact on the front stages of
social media carry the identity subconsciously to their real lives. The plan
for the front stages performances through putting in a lot of effort at times
while choosing their profile pictures which further involves impression
management suggested by Goffman. The manner of interacting can be thought of as
the planning the user does while selecting the posts opinions or pictures he
will share on his profile. Considering the theoretical framework it affects
what others think of an individual. It is the driving force for a person’s
behavior The authentic self is defected by the virtual self as how one will act
or present himself in virtual envoirnment, it is thought in real lives and
executed in virtual lives. Hence the travel is connected to each one who would
want to project himself in similar ways online and offline to his peer. Results
indicate that women agreed more with the opinion as compared to men whereas
younger people agreed more with the opinion as compared to older ones. Rural
residents were neutral to the opinion in larger numbers as compared semi-urban
and urban. Individuals highlighted that women seem to be accepting more that
real and virtual lives are identical whereas older people too agreed to the
opinion more. Rural respondents were neutral as the social media age is comparatively
new to them and they are still in the process of making opinions. Dr.S. Rai
mentioned that “Peer pressure did exist even before social media. Social
media has made peer pressure all the more vibrant and strong. But even if there
was no social media peer pressure was a reality at all times. Even in the days when
teenagers did not have social media there was enough social pressure to push
somebody to doing some experiment or doing specific things and not only for teenagers
but also for adults who are said to be
making rational choices. Your choices are greatly guided by what your other friends
say.” The next
question asked for the opinion of the respondents on whether social media can truthfully present a person's identity. The majority of respondents also
believed that social media can showcase a person’s identity truthfully.
Less-educated respondents agreed less with the opinion as compared to
better-educated ones. It denotes that subconsciously the respondents believed
that the identity they have planned to present online is true and they believe
that the identity can be truthfully presented online. Results show that women
agreed more with the opinion in comparison to men whereas younger people agreed
more with the opinion in comparison to older ones. Rural residents were neutral
to the opinion in larger numbers in comparison to semi-urban and urban
respondents . Though
social media is an extension of real selves it lacks the capability to showcase
a person in totality. It is only capable of showing a smaller part of a
person’s life. Generally, it shows the happier side of a person’s life and
fails to showcase the ups and downs of a person’s life unless one chooses to do
so. Though some people get into trending things like no filter posts where they
may share unedited pictures of themselves or share their grief on social media
platforms. Dr S. Rai mentioned that People seek approval in everything they
do like the way they look, the clothes they wear etc. Even celebrities do so as
there are things that are commonly appreciated in a peer group. Conformity is a
secondary human need but a very important one. Dr. N.Kaushik
was of the view that These are the virtual
spaces where they want to exist in reality. They then subconsciously start
believing that their virtual selves are identical to their real selves and
start acting accordingly. As social
beings, humans keep looking for approval on or off social media. Specifically
on social media users believed majorly that what others said about a person
affects their behavior. As it is important to gain public approval for one’s
act people try to behave in a specific manner. Dr. R.K.
Khayalia pointed out that There is insecurity that they want to cope with.
Both rich and poor have their own set of insecurities that they deal with in
real livelier is insanity of having and not. Those who have been insecure about
having and those who don’t are insecure about not having. They try to nullify it with
their virtual life presence. Whatever
property you have is a threat positive and negative. Dr. S.
Mishra, an expert on human psychology puts forth that, social media profiles
when looked at keenly sometimes can showcase themselves truthfully, but majorly
they are used as camouflage for real-life fantasies or crises of the users.
She
further says that virtual spaces are more imaginary spaces. People try to
fulfill their communication social and psychological desires through their
virtual selves. Taking
into consideration the theoretical framework of the study it affects what
others think of a person. It is the driving force for an individual’s behavior.
Salim khan (2010). state that visual
metaphors are hired to exhibit and coagulate connection with others. Secondly,
through photographs, users produce a visual chronicle of social identities
relating past and present of their social selves and finally visual images and
multimedia become cohesive in the sense of self wherein the line dividing
self-promotion and advertisement. The real
self is impacted by the virtual self as a lot of planning is done in real life
as to how one will act or present himself on virtual media. Hence the journey
is related to each other deeply. An individual would like to project himself in
similar ways online and offline to his peer. Gerbaudo (2015). mentioned that users
communicate their appearance, their mood, their location, their taste in
clothing or music, and many other elements of their personality to their
internet peers. Kietzmann et al. (2011). states that Users have also developed
identity strategies (e.g., real identity versus virtual identities), while others
focus on self-promotion (e.g., Facebook) or self-branding (e.g., LinkedIn) Dr. K. Ranga
said that people hide real identities. There is a lot of difference between
real and virtual lives. The reason for this is overexposure in the early years
of life to social media and attachment to virtual identities. Finally, Hogan (2010) concludes that social
media, frequently employs exhibitions, such as lists of status updates and sets
of photos, alongside situational activities, such as chatting. 4. Conclusion The study
reasons that popular assessment and specialists approved the possibility of
Dramaturgy. Individuals accepted that what they did in their virtual daily
routines impacted their reals lives too. Their demonstrations in virtual and
genuine lives were hence associated. They subliminally assumed parts of the
front phases of web-based entertainment and arranged in their genuine lives,
for this situation, behind the stage. Consequently,
Dramaturgy is exceptionally clear in its conduct via web-based entertainment. The
respondents accepted that virtual daily routines could influence genuine lives.
They will generally lead their fantasy lives of virtuality, in actuality, too.
Though the assessment of the general population and specialists contrasted on
the goal while individuals said that virtual entertainment introduced an
individual honestly, specialists felt that it was not really. Specialists said
that web-based entertainment isn't fit for exhibiting every aspect of a
character honestly; however, the user might accept so. They truly plan for
their virtual selves in their genuine lives. They perform when they are on virtual entertainment. The user chooses each part of their exhibition in the back stages of lives and establishes it on the front stage of social media.
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