AbstractsPhilosophy & Theology

Friendships in Virtual Spaces

by Lukas Stray




Institution: Roskilde University
Department:
Year: 2015
Keywords: Social Media; Facebook; Friendship; Networking; Focus Group; Roskilde University
Record ID: 1120850
Full text PDF: http://rudar.ruc.dk/handle/1800/18112


Abstract

Abstract. This thesis deals with friendship as a topic within two different spheres, offline and through facebook. The aim of the thesis was through interviews supported by secondary empirical work to ascertain whether friendships were maintained differently offline i.e. face-to-face than on facebook. The empirical work was gathered through two focus groups using a semi-structured interview. The analysis will provide with several different experts where theories regarding social capital, network sociality, facebook conventions, facebook behaviour, anonymity online and emotional contagion with be dealt with in relation to the notion of maintaining friends on the facebook network. The thesis includes that maintenance of friendships is different on facebook compared to offline friendships. Further, categorisation is more visible on facebook and lastly that facebook friendships appears to have decreased in value. The thesis will include two additional perspectives; one on exclusion and one on online privacy so as to illustrate different angles on the subject matter.