Jake was always the “coolest” kid in school. His nonchalant, light hearted, yet stylish demeanor mixed with his good looks, intelligence, and athletic talents made him the number one hit among the girls AND the guys for that matter! There was nothing not to like about Jake, in fact, if you didn’t like Jake then it was probably because of some insecurity of yours.
Jake and I got to know each other the year before I moved away. As my best friend’s boyfriend, I never got to know him especially well, but I still grew fond of him and we developed a friendship on something of a superficial level. After moving away, we never stayed in touch but I found him again, or he found me, on Facebook. I accepted his friend request, and aside from the initial “hello” we really haven’t talked much.
I thought that Jake would be an interesting subject for this assignment. Trying to assess if and how Jake has changed from our high school years is hard because he has provided very little self-reported information through things such as a bio or picture descriptions. On the other hand, the Brunswikian Lens Model would argue that you can indeed make such assessments through utilizing and analyzing environmental cues. Through looking at a series of four mechanisms found within online communities: self-directed identity claims, other-directed identity claims, interior behavioral reside, and exterior behavioral reside, I can make inferences about who Jake is today.
My analysis begins with Jake’s self-directed claims, which are, as explained by Walther et al., pieces of information provided by the profile creator for their benefit. These claims serve as “symbolic” representations indicating how the source wants targets to view him or her that reinforces their own self-views. In Jake’s Facebook profile this can be seen in the form of his of his favorite quote. Jake’s quote comes from a rap song that talks about personal strength, honesty, and loyalty. This quote is a reflection of Jake’s self perceived integrity, and judging from what I know about him I would say it suits him well, although it reminds me that Jake still associates himself with the gangster rap community, despite his good suburban boy nature. Other-directed claims are “symbols that have shared meanings to make statements to others about how they would like to be regarded”. Examples of this on Jake’s profile would include his activities and interests. Under Jake’s interests he lists “family, friends, and God… I don’t know where I would be without them.” This further shows that Jake wants be regarded by others as loyal and grounded two characteristics that I too would credit him for having. The next mechanisms talk about behavioral reside. Behavioral residue is evidence that reflects who one is both inside (interior behavioral residue) and outside (exterior behavioral reside) of the online space. Interior behavioral residue cues are present in the form of Jake’s wall posts on other people’s profiles. This simply demonstrates Jake’s involvement within the community. Those with whom he associates and the language he uses when associating with them offer higher level of cue validity in contrast to the other two mechanisms. Because Jake is not likely to consider how the rest of the community will view a particular post on a friend’s wall, his wall posts reflect the nature of his relationship with that person, thus adding more substance to my current impressions. The final mechanism, exterior behavioral reside, can be seen by looking at Jake’s pictures. From boating, to partying, and to going to sporting events, it’s clear to me that keeps himself busy outside of his Facebook activities and that he has not changed much over the years. This mechanism also offers more cue validity because it’s hard to fake what do and how you do it with a large amount of photographs. This increased cue validity leads to increased cue utilization and thus functional achievement in my forming an impression about who Jake is today. These last two mechanisms provide me with a clearer picture of Jake’s personality rather than the first two; therefore they weigh more heavily in my impression formation of him.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Assignment #7
I am a member of Cornell’s MineSweeper (CMS) Team, part of the Frame and Drivetrain sub-teams. Our goal is to design and fabricate a completely autonomous, all-terrain robot capable of landmine detection in a humanitarian effort. The team was started only last year and as you may imagine, there is a LOT of work involved. CMS relies heavily on Haythornwaite’s notion of community verses society, in that CMS must have attributes of a community in order to be effective.
From a Social Networks Analysis perspective, Haythornwaite describes a community as having strong interpersonal ties, a shared focus, and a common language. Specifically, a community must have common ground, reciprocity, and strong/weak ties in a social network. CMS certainly has these attributes.
First, common ground, this is where the ‘actors’ share a common purpose and work together to achieve this end. Being part of a project team, all the actors share a common enthusiasm for automotive design and fabrication. The majority of the team consists of mechanical engineers, and each can tell you that a rocker-bogey suspension is passive and each will say MAE 427 sucks. We all share a common interest in mechanical/automotive design and on top of that, we all are taking similar classes. In this way, strong ties are developed within the group by staying up to ungodly hours working on project team and then finishing up those problem sets for class.
All the major project team’s labs are in the basement of Upson, CMS works alongside teams like FSAE, Baja, CUAUV, CUair, etc. This leads to inter-community interactions. I’ve made friends with FSAE team members just by being in the lab, this in turn forms weak ties that I could utilize if I need spare parts or tools they may have.
CMS thrives on reciprocity, the notion that members of a community will give help without any expectation of receiving it back. CMS is a young team compared to some of the more established teams leading to inexperience within the younger class (freshmen, sophomore) while the current seniors already have previous project team experience. So as a senior, I find myself spending extra time teaching the freshmen how to use tools and helping them get acquainted with the machine shop. Even though I do expect some work accomplished from the frosh now that I taught them how to use ANSYS, for example, I could have ‘thrown them to the wolves’ so-to-speak, but instead spent face-to-face time helping.
In terms of CMC synergies, CMS would not survive without it. CMS uses google documents to update part order lists, email for communication, a private forum for design discussion, FTP for CAD file storage/sharing, and obviously FTF communication. Most FTF interactions within the team will undoubtedly involve phrases like ‘remember that email I sent’ or ‘check the CMS folder for the Solidworks part;’ CMC strongly facilitates our tasks.
Assignment 7, Option 2 (Meet my cute friend)
I used to think that a person’s online profile (in a proper, established setting) is pretty much an accurate reflection of their true selves, save for some exaggeration or jokes. Obviously that’s not correct. So I decided to analyze the Facebook profile of a friend that I made on my very first day at Cornell. After a couple years and numerous interactions, I believed that I understood her personality quite well.
My assessment incorporated the Brunswikian Lens Model, which studies how an audience observes traits and conditions of a subject, and then use different cues to make consequent inferences. The lens are the environment cues that allow the observers to make their inferences about characteristics. According to the model, there are four mechanisms that link individuals to their environments; identity claims and behavoral residue. Finally, I attempted to analyze my friend’s personality according to the Five Factor Model.
The first mechanism is self-directed identity claims, which are “symbolic statements made by occupants for their own benefit, intended to reinforce their self-views”. My friend is very religious so she has an application that provides a daily bible verse. She also included her favorite verses from the bible in her “Quotes” section. On the other hand, she has a playful personality, shown by her relationship status, where she’s “engaged” to a friend (which is definitely a joke since I know she’s currently in a committed relationship).
A second mechanism is other-directed identity claims, which are “symbols that have shared meanings to make statements to others about how they would like to be regarded”. This would include all the information within her personal profile, especially her interests, activities and favorite things. I learned that my friend is honest to a degree about her interests but she adds a humorous twist to her answers, which I expected given her funny side.
The third mechanism is interior behavioral residue, which are “physical traces of activities conducted in the immediate environment”. Despite being very busy with classes and numerous other activities, my friend still has the time to be actively involved in Facebook also. Newsfeed was quite helpful in tracking down her actions, since she’s the type to reply to every wall post, comment on others’ photos and notes. Not to mention she added nearly every new Facebook application so now there are dozen of ways for people to interact with her.
The final mechanism is exterior behavioural residue, which are behaviours that the individual performs outside of the immediate environment. In this case, since she is so busy and involved, her picture albums depict her active life. Also, she is frequently tagged by others in settings outside of CMC, showing her interactions and relationships outside of this particular environment.
Although my friend’s Facebook profile was helpful for one to learn about her personality, when I tried to analyze her according to the Five Factor Model, the profile fell short. Her hundreds of friends and many applications on her page prove evidence to her openness, extraversion and to a degree, agreeableness. However, it is quite difficult to tell her level of neuroticism and contentiousness. Based on this profile, one can assume that she has none. Nonetheless, her page is a fun one for her friends to visit, and offer a relatively true depiction of her personality.
Comment 1
Comment 2
My assessment incorporated the Brunswikian Lens Model, which studies how an audience observes traits and conditions of a subject, and then use different cues to make consequent inferences. The lens are the environment cues that allow the observers to make their inferences about characteristics. According to the model, there are four mechanisms that link individuals to their environments; identity claims and behavoral residue. Finally, I attempted to analyze my friend’s personality according to the Five Factor Model.
The first mechanism is self-directed identity claims, which are “symbolic statements made by occupants for their own benefit, intended to reinforce their self-views”. My friend is very religious so she has an application that provides a daily bible verse. She also included her favorite verses from the bible in her “Quotes” section. On the other hand, she has a playful personality, shown by her relationship status, where she’s “engaged” to a friend (which is definitely a joke since I know she’s currently in a committed relationship).
A second mechanism is other-directed identity claims, which are “symbols that have shared meanings to make statements to others about how they would like to be regarded”. This would include all the information within her personal profile, especially her interests, activities and favorite things. I learned that my friend is honest to a degree about her interests but she adds a humorous twist to her answers, which I expected given her funny side.
The third mechanism is interior behavioral residue, which are “physical traces of activities conducted in the immediate environment”. Despite being very busy with classes and numerous other activities, my friend still has the time to be actively involved in Facebook also. Newsfeed was quite helpful in tracking down her actions, since she’s the type to reply to every wall post, comment on others’ photos and notes. Not to mention she added nearly every new Facebook application so now there are dozen of ways for people to interact with her.
The final mechanism is exterior behavioural residue, which are behaviours that the individual performs outside of the immediate environment. In this case, since she is so busy and involved, her picture albums depict her active life. Also, she is frequently tagged by others in settings outside of CMC, showing her interactions and relationships outside of this particular environment.
Although my friend’s Facebook profile was helpful for one to learn about her personality, when I tried to analyze her according to the Five Factor Model, the profile fell short. Her hundreds of friends and many applications on her page prove evidence to her openness, extraversion and to a degree, agreeableness. However, it is quite difficult to tell her level of neuroticism and contentiousness. Based on this profile, one can assume that she has none. Nonetheless, her page is a fun one for her friends to visit, and offer a relatively true depiction of her personality.
Comment 1
Comment 2
7 option2
I decided to use the Brunswikian Lens Model to assess the personality of K’s through the Facebook profile.
Brunswik’s lens model describes one process by which individuals make inferences about the characteristics of others. Observers judge individuals’ personality by their behaviors and generate artifacts. This model discusses the utility of various cues in terms of cue validity, cue utilization, and functional achievement. Cue validity indicates the accuracy of a cue in describing a person. Cue utilization refers to the process of an observer using a cue for impression formation. Functional achievement is the link between the two when cue validity and cue utilization both happen. And when functional achievement occurs, an observer should make an accurate judgment about a target.
In their study of personality judgments, Gosling’ group proposed four mechanisms that linked individuals to the environments that they inhabit: self-directed identity claims, other-directed identity claims, interior behavioral residue, and exterior behavioral residue.
First, self-directed identity claims are statements by the target that benefit the target and reinforce self-view. I consider the groups she joined in on facebook are self-directed identity claims, since few casual observers would notice this part, and K joined the groups pretty much depending on her own interest. The group of “Sichuan people” can tell us that she originally came from or has attachments to that place, though her profile says her home is in NJ. Second, other-directed identity claims are statements by the target to reinforce desired view by others. I think the rest of the identity claims like her profile picture, tagged photos and friends list were mostly directed to others. Take tagged photos for example: she has 124 pictures tagged and taken by herself but only 2 tagged by others. It’s hard to believe that nobody other than her took photos of her. Her choice of pictures is obviously for presenting herself to others and she looks prettier in these photos rather than those tagged by others. Third, interior behavioral residue is a reflection of past behaviors or possible future behavior within the immediate environment. K’s minifeeds and wall post can be the typical examples for this residue. From the minifeed I can tell that she’s been really active on Facebook recently: she had 4 minifeeds on average for each day in the past week. Fourth, exterior behavioral residue is a reflection of past behaviors or possible future behavior outside the immediate environment. Her photos taken on her vocation to NYC during fall break can be a good example.
Rating K on the big five personality traits ( neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and contentiousness ): Lots of her wall post started with things like ”I am good, thanks for asking…” or “Thanks for your b-day wishes…”, I can see that she is always the one who starts a conversation, or who really likes to keep in touch with friends. Also, she usually makes quick and warm responses to her wall post. I highly rated her extraversion (energy and tendency to seek the company of others), agreeableness and conscientiousness (energy and tendency to seek the company of others). Her profile includes lots of information about herself. Even for the category of “my favorite music”, she filled in more than 20 singers. Her willingness of sharing her information showed her highly openness.
Based on what I know about K, I think the assessment is basically accurate. She is an open, friendly and warm person in life.
Brunswik’s lens model describes one process by which individuals make inferences about the characteristics of others. Observers judge individuals’ personality by their behaviors and generate artifacts. This model discusses the utility of various cues in terms of cue validity, cue utilization, and functional achievement. Cue validity indicates the accuracy of a cue in describing a person. Cue utilization refers to the process of an observer using a cue for impression formation. Functional achievement is the link between the two when cue validity and cue utilization both happen. And when functional achievement occurs, an observer should make an accurate judgment about a target.
In their study of personality judgments, Gosling’ group proposed four mechanisms that linked individuals to the environments that they inhabit: self-directed identity claims, other-directed identity claims, interior behavioral residue, and exterior behavioral residue.
First, self-directed identity claims are statements by the target that benefit the target and reinforce self-view. I consider the groups she joined in on facebook are self-directed identity claims, since few casual observers would notice this part, and K joined the groups pretty much depending on her own interest. The group of “Sichuan people” can tell us that she originally came from or has attachments to that place, though her profile says her home is in NJ. Second, other-directed identity claims are statements by the target to reinforce desired view by others. I think the rest of the identity claims like her profile picture, tagged photos and friends list were mostly directed to others. Take tagged photos for example: she has 124 pictures tagged and taken by herself but only 2 tagged by others. It’s hard to believe that nobody other than her took photos of her. Her choice of pictures is obviously for presenting herself to others and she looks prettier in these photos rather than those tagged by others. Third, interior behavioral residue is a reflection of past behaviors or possible future behavior within the immediate environment. K’s minifeeds and wall post can be the typical examples for this residue. From the minifeed I can tell that she’s been really active on Facebook recently: she had 4 minifeeds on average for each day in the past week. Fourth, exterior behavioral residue is a reflection of past behaviors or possible future behavior outside the immediate environment. Her photos taken on her vocation to NYC during fall break can be a good example.
Rating K on the big five personality traits ( neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and contentiousness ): Lots of her wall post started with things like ”I am good, thanks for asking…” or “Thanks for your b-day wishes…”, I can see that she is always the one who starts a conversation, or who really likes to keep in touch with friends. Also, she usually makes quick and warm responses to her wall post. I highly rated her extraversion (energy and tendency to seek the company of others), agreeableness and conscientiousness (energy and tendency to seek the company of others). Her profile includes lots of information about herself. Even for the category of “my favorite music”, she filled in more than 20 singers. Her willingness of sharing her information showed her highly openness.
Based on what I know about K, I think the assessment is basically accurate. She is an open, friendly and warm person in life.
#7: My friend with the prententious personality... on Facebook.
How well do you know your best friend? You may think you know your best friend because—hey—it’s YOUR best friend! If you’re anything like me then most of your judgments and perceptions of your best friend are formulated based on personal interactions and experiences. I have known my best friend since second grade, so I know her like a favorite book… or do I? I know my friend’s personality based on personal encounters, but how does her Facebook profile present her and how do others use it to perceive her personality?
While investigating my best friend I incorporated the Brunswikian Lens Model, an approach in which individuals make inferences about the characteristics of others. This model suggests that individuals produce behaviors and generate artifacts that reflect their personalities, thus allowing others to judge them and make inferences of their personality. In this model, Brunswikian’s “lens” refers to the environment cues incorporated and used by the observers to make inferences about characteristics. There are four main mechanisms used to link individuals to their environment.
The first of the four mechanisms is self-directed identity claims. These are symbolic statements made by occupants for their own benefit, intended to reinforce their self-views. In the case of my best friend, her profile says “Married” and mentions the name of a girl. This is clearly not the truth, seeing how my best friend is a straight female (and if she is married to a woman, she’s got A LOT of explaining to do!). This identity claim reflects her humorous personality. It is an inside joke between her and this female friend and is solely for her own benefit.
The second mechanism is other-directed identity claims. These claims are symbols that have shared meanings to make statements to others. They are descriptions of how the individual would like to be regarded by others. In the case of my best friend, her other-directed identity claims are reinforced by her“about me” and “interests” portion of her profile. My friend is very sarcastic and has a huge fascination with celebrity stardom. Some of her interests include “Perez Hilton,” “gossip,” and “HOTT fashion.” In her “about me” section she includes her goal of someday staring in a Pepsi commercial and writes, “I’m a star—if you know me, consider yourself blessed and lucky.” Though these claims may not necessarily be 100% valid, they allow others to form judgments about her and perceive her personality.
Furthermore, the third mechanism is interior behavioral residue. These are physical traces of activities conducted within the environment. Though interior behavioral residue generally refers to past behaviors, they may reflect anticipated future behaviors that may occur in the immediate environment. An example of this is my friend's "newsfeed," which shows all of her friend acceptances, group invites, and even wall posts. My friend’s wall posts and comments are great evidence of interior residue. She is known for posting absurd comments on the walls of her friends’. Her comments are a reflection of her interactions with others within the Facebook community.
The fourth mechanism that links an individual to an environment is exterior behavioral residue. This type of residue is conceptualized as the remains of behaviors performed by the individual entirely outside of the immediate environment. As figured, an example of this would be my friend’s pictures and photo albums. All of her pictures show her interactions outside of the Facebook community. There are plenty of pictures from her wild nights spent and clubs, her summer vacation in Italy and France, and even pictures of her with old friends and family. They depict her socializing with others and partaking in fun activities that align with her personality.
Keeping my friend’s Facebook profile in mind, it is important to remember the fact that observers do not rely on all possible cues in making their judgments about others, thus establishing the link between an environmental cue and an observers’ utilization of that cue as cue utilization. Other factors that could be used when interpreting my friend’s personality based on her profile is the Five Factor Model (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and contentiousness). Though all of her claims presented in her profile may hint at her openness and extraversion, they certainly do not entail all aspects of her personality. An outsider may look at my friend’s profile and immediately deduce that she is a pretentious, popularity-driven air-head. Though this might be SLIGHTLY true, they are not able to see her kind and warm heart and loving personality traits.
By using the Brunswikian Model to tear judge my best friend’s personality, it is safe to make a simple conclusion: your Facebook profile may not accurately reflect your true personality. Perhaps I should warn my best friend about the inaccuracies of her “profile personality”… or I could just sit back and laugh at her sarcastic and foolish ways.
-Joshua Navarro
My Comments:
http://comm245purple.blogspot.com/2007/10/72-old-friend-from-high-school.html
http://comm245purple.blogspot.com/2007/10/looking-through-lens-limited.html
While investigating my best friend I incorporated the Brunswikian Lens Model, an approach in which individuals make inferences about the characteristics of others. This model suggests that individuals produce behaviors and generate artifacts that reflect their personalities, thus allowing others to judge them and make inferences of their personality. In this model, Brunswikian’s “lens” refers to the environment cues incorporated and used by the observers to make inferences about characteristics. There are four main mechanisms used to link individuals to their environment.
The first of the four mechanisms is self-directed identity claims. These are symbolic statements made by occupants for their own benefit, intended to reinforce their self-views. In the case of my best friend, her profile says “Married” and mentions the name of a girl. This is clearly not the truth, seeing how my best friend is a straight female (and if she is married to a woman, she’s got A LOT of explaining to do!). This identity claim reflects her humorous personality. It is an inside joke between her and this female friend and is solely for her own benefit.
The second mechanism is other-directed identity claims. These claims are symbols that have shared meanings to make statements to others. They are descriptions of how the individual would like to be regarded by others. In the case of my best friend, her other-directed identity claims are reinforced by her“about me” and “interests” portion of her profile. My friend is very sarcastic and has a huge fascination with celebrity stardom. Some of her interests include “Perez Hilton,” “gossip,” and “HOTT fashion.” In her “about me” section she includes her goal of someday staring in a Pepsi commercial and writes, “I’m a star—if you know me, consider yourself blessed and lucky.” Though these claims may not necessarily be 100% valid, they allow others to form judgments about her and perceive her personality.
Furthermore, the third mechanism is interior behavioral residue. These are physical traces of activities conducted within the environment. Though interior behavioral residue generally refers to past behaviors, they may reflect anticipated future behaviors that may occur in the immediate environment. An example of this is my friend's "newsfeed," which shows all of her friend acceptances, group invites, and even wall posts. My friend’s wall posts and comments are great evidence of interior residue. She is known for posting absurd comments on the walls of her friends’. Her comments are a reflection of her interactions with others within the Facebook community.
The fourth mechanism that links an individual to an environment is exterior behavioral residue. This type of residue is conceptualized as the remains of behaviors performed by the individual entirely outside of the immediate environment. As figured, an example of this would be my friend’s pictures and photo albums. All of her pictures show her interactions outside of the Facebook community. There are plenty of pictures from her wild nights spent and clubs, her summer vacation in Italy and France, and even pictures of her with old friends and family. They depict her socializing with others and partaking in fun activities that align with her personality.
Keeping my friend’s Facebook profile in mind, it is important to remember the fact that observers do not rely on all possible cues in making their judgments about others, thus establishing the link between an environmental cue and an observers’ utilization of that cue as cue utilization. Other factors that could be used when interpreting my friend’s personality based on her profile is the Five Factor Model (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and contentiousness). Though all of her claims presented in her profile may hint at her openness and extraversion, they certainly do not entail all aspects of her personality. An outsider may look at my friend’s profile and immediately deduce that she is a pretentious, popularity-driven air-head. Though this might be SLIGHTLY true, they are not able to see her kind and warm heart and loving personality traits.
By using the Brunswikian Model to tear judge my best friend’s personality, it is safe to make a simple conclusion: your Facebook profile may not accurately reflect your true personality. Perhaps I should warn my best friend about the inaccuracies of her “profile personality”… or I could just sit back and laugh at her sarcastic and foolish ways.
-Joshua Navarro
My Comments:
http://comm245purple.blogspot.com/2007/10/72-old-friend-from-high-school.html
http://comm245purple.blogspot.com/2007/10/looking-through-lens-limited.html
Assignment 7, Option 1 -- Shadows Dance Troupe
A community that I am a part of here at Cornell is Shadows Dance Troupe. We are a small, jazz, modern, and hip-hop performance group on campus. From a Social Network Perspective, Shadows incorporates common ground, reciprocity, and a unique combination of strong and weak ties. There are certainly online/offline synergies too.
To begin with, the group is based on a common love and appreciation for dance, and all members possess a certain skill and technique level as well (this is ensured through rigorous tryouts). Thus, just by being in the group each member automatically shares something significant in common with all other members. Reciprocity is another major aspect of the group – particularly when it comes to respect and openness in learning choreography. Since all members are permitted to choreograph, there is a mutual understanding that respect, full attention, and effort in learning one member’s dance, garners the same from that person in learning yours. But this reciprocity extends beyond choreography – adjusting rehearsal times when necessary, helping “newbies”, assisting with costume issues, and volunteering for various administrative tasks are all common, well distributed among members, and beneficial for the group as a whole. Members later readjust rehearsal schedules again, newbies help the newer newbies, and so on.
We rehearse about 7 hours a week (though not all members rehearse this full amount), and as a result the community establishes pretty strong ties based on the aforementioned common ground, reciprocity, and significant time spent together to accomplish common goals. In terms of dance, we have access to the same information and resources, and we tend to be similar based on standard technical training. On the other hand, Shadows incorporates many weak tie characteristics between its members too. Since we come from different majors, groups of friends, Greek houses, and/or years, we have access to a variety of unique resources – a valuable feature in terms of securing performances around campus. In this sense, Shadows has allowed me to be part of a community of strong tie relationships with weak tie benefits such as unique resources and contacts (beyond my usual friends) throughout campus. The group, from a Social Network Perspective, has expanded my social capital.
Finally, Shadows also uses much CMC communication – specifically email – in orchestrating rehearsal times/changes, planning performances, asking/answering questions, music exchange, planning, and general facilitation of the flow of information. Although most issues are also discussed in person at rehearsals, this synergy of online/offline communication allows for clarity and assurance that everyone knows what is going on within the group. Our communication through the group list-serve is vital to organization. We also use Facebook to advertise upcoming events and performances. And now for the shameless plug: Fall Step is November 16th !!
Links:
http://cornell.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5067398765
Videos:
http://youtube.com/user/coconcaramel2
http://youtube.com/user/starlitska
Comments:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3186874989969223722&postID=2282674879931166673
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3186874989969223722&postID=2214417421959963549
Zeta Psi- Cornell's First and Foremost Fraternal Community
I am proud to identify myself as a member of the Cornell chapter of Zeta Psi International Fraternity. As Cornell’s first fraternity, Zeta Psi is an organization with a very rich heritage and very strong traditions. ZetaPsi.org, our international website states that we are an “organization dedicated to forging academic excellence and life-long bonds of brotherhood. Through active chapter participation and continuing alumni outreach, Zeta Psi members are committed to the development of leadership, character and intellect and to the service of their brothers, their communities and mankind. “
Our chapter certainly constitutes a community. We are an extremely tight-knit group, and the bonds of brotherhood connecting each member of our group to each other member are extremely strong. Haythornwaite states that a community has a social network aspect, common ground, and reciprocity. The social network aspect of our fraternity is clearly evident. Close bonds exist between the brothers within each pledge class and the house as a whole. We also maintain very good relationships with other Zete chapters. We have a particularly close relationship with our brothers at NYU.
Common ground exists between all of the members of our fraternity as well. We are all going through very similar experiences right now, as we are all going through the difficult process of receiving a Cornell education and we spend most of our social time together as well. Common ground also exists in the knowledge of certain fraternity secrets that we all share. For obvious reasons, I cannot go into any meaningful detail as to what I am referring to, but any Fraternity brother understands the bond that forms between individuals who share knowledge of ancient secrets and time honored traditions.
Reciprocity also exists between brothers in our fraternity. The close relationships and high level of trust between the members of our chapter allow us to openly discuss any problems we may be having, ranging from personal to academic. Any brother would do whatever he can to help another, and will receive the same in return. This reciprocal relationship only strengthens the bonds that make up this community over time.
CMC has a strong impact on our community. Synergistic effects occur through both Facebook and our email list-serve. Facebook allows us to display our affiliation to our house directly on our pages. It also allows us to join groups representing our chapter as well as our international fraternity. Our list-serve allows us to instantly communicate with the entire chapter. Dozens of email announcements are sent out each day between the brothers in our fraternity. It allows us an easy way to stay on the same page as far as social event planning and daily communication.
Assignment 7, Option 1. Go CU Polo!!!
Most people belong to communities that they consider to be very important aspects of their life. Haythornwaite would call the idea of community gemeinschaft, which is defined by several key ideas. These ideas are that communities are based on strong interpersonal ties, that there is a shared focus or common goal, and that there is a common language or identity. Communities are also made up of a number of different actors that are connected by both weak and strong ties.
One personal example of such a community is the Cornell University Varsity Polo Team. This organization is a community of people that interact in both offline and online spaces. Generally speaking, the Cornell Polo team meets the criteria of gemeinschaft very well. Everyone on the team has strong interpersonal ties that have developed as a result of common experience, i.e. long practices together, social events, etc. The same events that have given rise to these interpersonal events have also provided a strong common ground on which relationships can form. The team also shares a common goal, in that everyone works together in order to make the team as strong as it can possibly be. Everyone does their part, whatever that may be, with the hopes that the team will benefit in some way. Members also look out for each other, helping one another whenever they can, which is an action that is expected to be reciprocated by all. Collectively, we identify ourselves as members of the Cornell Polo team. Our identity is defined by Cornell Polo clothing, our affection for the amazing Cornell Polo ponies, and the lingering smell of
The actors in the Cornell Polo community are diverse and numerous. Actors with the strongest ties are those which continue to have the most frequent contact, which would be current members of the team. Current members also have access to the same resources and information. Weak ties exist between past members of the team and current members. Contact is less frequent, although a number of players have been able to secure jobs and other opportunities through Cornell Polo Alumni.
Online, as well as face to face, interactions between Cornell Polo players are very important for the maintenance of relationships within the polo community. E-mail provides a way for members of the team to stay in touch between practice and game periods. Since members are on a list serve, everyone receives the e-mails sent. These e-mails often provide insight into the true identity of certain members of the team, which creates a synergy between real world encounters and computer mediated encounters. Since people often have a lower sense of public awareness online, and a greater sense of self awareness, they will be less inhibited and thus more likely to express themselves more freely than they would in a face to face situation. Online communication has allowed members of the Cornell University Polo team to grow closer than otherwise would have been possible.
C-O-R-N-E Double L
The community that I was introduced to this year and will be writing about is the Cornell Varsity Football team. This community is a group of 110 players ranging from freshman to 5th year seniors that share the same belief of “PRIDE-UNITY-TOUGHNESS-COMMITMENT” with the goal of winning the Ivy League Championship. This football program is considered to be a Gemeinshaft.
The football team demonstrates that its community like characteristics can be classified into the group of utopic Gemeinschaft. If we were to loose a game in overtime or because of one play, we don’t rag on that person who made the mistake but we pick him up and become closer as a team. Since we spend so much time together our interpersonal ties are very strong. We all share the same focus and common purpose of being on the team together which strengthens our relationship. Our skills and ability are considered to be our common language and identity because the way we play speaks for our self and how we play gives us our own identity of a player.
The football team is influenced by CMC, however FTF has a bigger role in this community. Since we are with each other for at least 3-4 hours a day our FTF interactions play a bigger role then CMC. CMC is used more though to talk when we are not together, leave comments about what happened today, and even plan out what is going on tomorrow.
#7) option 1: my community
After having spent my past college semester studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, I became part of a community that is currently very important in my life despite my physical removal from the individuals who are a part of it. I went through a housing program called "Study Australia" which takes students from all over the world and places them in the land down under to "study" abroad. Thanks to CMC, I am able to remain in touch with, and continue developing relationships with individuals who I had not met before studying abroad, but automatically upon entering this experience together, we became each other's community.
Haythornwaite (2007) distinguishes between "Gemenschaft" (a community) vs. "Gasellschaft" (a society), noting that communities are based on strong interpersonal relationships, shared focus, and common identity, while societies involve a group of individuals who lack commitment, have little shared concern, and are not highly connected. Haythornwaite (2007) also uses SNA factors to address the properties of communities, in terms of common ground and reciprocity. Common ground is more specifically defined as "commitment to a set of shared values, mores, meanings and a shared historical identity – in short, a culture." (Etzioni & Etzioni (1999) p. 129). Within my Study Australia community, common ground was what led to the formation of such strong relationships in the first place, as it involved a group of individuals with similar goals, passions, and senses of adventure. Thus we immediately engaged in a community based relationship (rather than society based) despite our lack of prior knowledge of each other's lives. Reciprocity involves to degree to which individuals within a community support, reflect, and criss-cross each other's beliefs. Within by Study Australia community, our physical removal from all things and people familiar in our lives, caused an immediate network of support among this group of individuals who had so quickly bonded of shared beliefs and common ground.
Leaving Sydney, and my Study Australia community, is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I had to physically remove myself from both the strong ties (other American students in my program) and weak ties (Australian natives I developed friendships with) of my community, and return to a place where my past community had remained stagnant while I changed dramatically. Because of the strong bonds we formed abroad, and our shared desire to support each other's current endeavours, my Study Australia community has made a valiant effort to keep our community alive, largely through CMC. However, among this community, my choices of media to keep in touch are certainly variable depending on the individual involved. Those to which I felt very strong ties, I often communicate using AIM, email, phones, and lastly facebook. However those to which I felt weaker ties, including both other Americans and Australians, I have chosen leaner channels, primarily facebook, to keep in touch. I have become friends with many Aussies on facebook to keep up on their current lives, but have also joined and "Study Australia" group so that I may publicly associate myself with this community which, thanks to CMC, has become synchronous in both on- and off-line settings.
Below is the link to the Facebook individual known as "Study Australia"
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=687550005&ref=ts
On the profile page, you can find lists of individuals who have all been involved in the Study Australia experience, in addition to groups and photo albums on individual trips/groups within the community. The transition from physical proximity to the online social networking provided by facebook, changed the community to a much bigger one which I am proud to be a part of. By joining the online version of my physical community, I am now part of a social network which connects me to excellent resources and facilitates flow of information about a culture in which I was so deeply immersed. However, CMC allows me to keep "my Study Australia community" alive by using richer media choices.
Haythornwaite (2007) distinguishes between "Gemenschaft" (a community) vs. "Gasellschaft" (a society), noting that communities are based on strong interpersonal relationships, shared focus, and common identity, while societies involve a group of individuals who lack commitment, have little shared concern, and are not highly connected. Haythornwaite (2007) also uses SNA factors to address the properties of communities, in terms of common ground and reciprocity. Common ground is more specifically defined as "commitment to a set of shared values, mores, meanings and a shared historical identity – in short, a culture." (Etzioni & Etzioni (1999) p. 129). Within my Study Australia community, common ground was what led to the formation of such strong relationships in the first place, as it involved a group of individuals with similar goals, passions, and senses of adventure. Thus we immediately engaged in a community based relationship (rather than society based) despite our lack of prior knowledge of each other's lives. Reciprocity involves to degree to which individuals within a community support, reflect, and criss-cross each other's beliefs. Within by Study Australia community, our physical removal from all things and people familiar in our lives, caused an immediate network of support among this group of individuals who had so quickly bonded of shared beliefs and common ground.
Leaving Sydney, and my Study Australia community, is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I had to physically remove myself from both the strong ties (other American students in my program) and weak ties (Australian natives I developed friendships with) of my community, and return to a place where my past community had remained stagnant while I changed dramatically. Because of the strong bonds we formed abroad, and our shared desire to support each other's current endeavours, my Study Australia community has made a valiant effort to keep our community alive, largely through CMC. However, among this community, my choices of media to keep in touch are certainly variable depending on the individual involved. Those to which I felt very strong ties, I often communicate using AIM, email, phones, and lastly facebook. However those to which I felt weaker ties, including both other Americans and Australians, I have chosen leaner channels, primarily facebook, to keep in touch. I have become friends with many Aussies on facebook to keep up on their current lives, but have also joined and "Study Australia" group so that I may publicly associate myself with this community which, thanks to CMC, has become synchronous in both on- and off-line settings.
Below is the link to the Facebook individual known as "Study Australia"
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=687550005&ref=ts
On the profile page, you can find lists of individuals who have all been involved in the Study Australia experience, in addition to groups and photo albums on individual trips/groups within the community. The transition from physical proximity to the online social networking provided by facebook, changed the community to a much bigger one which I am proud to be a part of. By joining the online version of my physical community, I am now part of a social network which connects me to excellent resources and facilitates flow of information about a culture in which I was so deeply immersed. However, CMC allows me to keep "my Study Australia community" alive by using richer media choices.
Assignment 7, Option 1
The term community is described by Etzioni and Etzioni (1999) as “web of affect laden relationships that encompasses a group of individuals, relationships that criss-cross, and reinforce on another, rather than simply a chain of one-on-one relationships”, they also go on to give a second definition of the term, “a community requires a measure of commitment to a set of shared value, mores, meanings, and a shared historical identity”. Looking at these definitions the community that first came to mind was one that I have joined here at Cornell, the Haitian Student Association. All of the students in this community are either Haitian are have some sort of commitment to the spread of Haitian culture for one reason or another. In this way we share a historical identity as well as values. We also can also each be seen as actors, with every person student playing the role of an executive board member. Being Co-President of the Haitian Student Association, the information flows from me down to the other executive board members. At meetings however, we each have an important role and equally give input to discussions. Each different executive board member has different resources that are intrinsic to their position or role. For example, the secretary has access to all the minutes from all of the meetings, and also to all of the netIDs that are on the list serve. The treasurer has access to all of the money and also has connections with all of the funding boards. The program coordinator, through their work, gains connections with different catering companies, venues, DJs, etc. The position you have dictates exactly what resources you have access to. Within the Haitian Student Association the ideas of common ground and reciprocity are definitely important. We are all on the executive board for one common reason, to spread Haitian culture and awareness throughout Cornell’s community. We also expect reciprocity from each other. We all complete the duties and tasks necessary for our position; expect the other executive board members to do the same. Without common ground or reciprocity, our organization would in effect not function.
CMC definitely has an affect our community and how we function. Besides our weekly meetings, most of our communicating occurs through E-mail. Without E-mail our community would not be able to get information across efficiently. However, in some ways E-mail takes away from our ability to form strong ties. While I work closely with these people, they are not people I have formed strong ties with. If there were no email, we would be forced to meet more often and use the telephone more often, and as result we would become closer and our ties would strengthen. Although the weak ties I have formed with my fellow executive board members are important for networking reasons, it sometimes more worth it to form strong ties with people who you really connect with and appreciate, and in some ways E-mail prevents us from doing this.
CMC definitely has an affect our community and how we function. Besides our weekly meetings, most of our communicating occurs through E-mail. Without E-mail our community would not be able to get information across efficiently. However, in some ways E-mail takes away from our ability to form strong ties. While I work closely with these people, they are not people I have formed strong ties with. If there were no email, we would be forced to meet more often and use the telephone more often, and as result we would become closer and our ties would strengthen. Although the weak ties I have formed with my fellow executive board members are important for networking reasons, it sometimes more worth it to form strong ties with people who you really connect with and appreciate, and in some ways E-mail prevents us from doing this.
Assignment # 7: Option 1:Greek Communication: Not the Language
Although it seems like a common topic of discussion for this assignment, I would like to talk about my sorority as a community that I belong to according to Haythornwaite. Three important attributes of a community include a social network aspect, common ground, and reciprocity. The sorority to which I belong, satisfies these properties as follows.
The social network aspect is probably the most obvious attribute and is apparent to the sorority’s members as well as outsiders. The social network consists of many ties between members of each pledge class, members of the chapter here at Cornell, members in other chapters across the country as well as alumni. In general the strongest bonds exist within the pledge classes but many girls are just as close with girls from the pledge class above and below them. Our community is held together through weekly chapter meetings which are held to discuss our sorority’s overall status as well as any upcoming philanthropy or social events. Our philanthropy events are another way in which we stay close and connected while also helping a good cause. Our social events are yet another way to stay connected. Weaker ties may exist between chapters in other schools, however, we are all considered “sisters” and therefore feel socially connected to each other. In fact, one of my friends from high school is in the same sorority at another school, and I now feel even closer to her because of this additional bond we have.
My sorority has a strong sense of community because of the common ground that all the sisters share. On the surface, we are simply one of the 12 sororities that exist on campus, however, our unique philosophy is what defines us and creates a common bond among every sister. At a time when discrimination was perhaps more accepted, seven women decided to form a sorority that would not deny membership to those of different race or religion. To this day, every sister is made aware of the importance of this principle. Also, the concept of sisterhood is connected to the value of true friendship On a more superficial level, common ground also exists when girls wear their greek letters with the sorority’s colors and therefore feel connected and form a community for others to visually notice.
Reciprocity exists within the sorority community in many ways. Sisterhood creates close ties that people value and therefore these girls are there for each other when anyone is in need of help whether it be for emotional support or even to help with schoolwork. We have established a tradition at chapter where people can write down comments which are then read aloud. These comments are only made to express any positive experiences or feedback to others who deserve recognition whether it be for a birthday or for simply a kind act.
CMC plays a role in this community most importantly through the use of an email list-serve. This allows emails to be sent out to every active member of the Cornell chapter. Information includes announcements, questions, etc. that can be sent be any member. The use of CMC in my sorority only strengthens the bonds within the community because it allows for more efficient communication between its members. Typing a brief email, followed by a click on the send button transmits that message to over 100 people within the community: a completely exponential effect.
The social network aspect is probably the most obvious attribute and is apparent to the sorority’s members as well as outsiders. The social network consists of many ties between members of each pledge class, members of the chapter here at Cornell, members in other chapters across the country as well as alumni. In general the strongest bonds exist within the pledge classes but many girls are just as close with girls from the pledge class above and below them. Our community is held together through weekly chapter meetings which are held to discuss our sorority’s overall status as well as any upcoming philanthropy or social events. Our philanthropy events are another way in which we stay close and connected while also helping a good cause. Our social events are yet another way to stay connected. Weaker ties may exist between chapters in other schools, however, we are all considered “sisters” and therefore feel socially connected to each other. In fact, one of my friends from high school is in the same sorority at another school, and I now feel even closer to her because of this additional bond we have.
My sorority has a strong sense of community because of the common ground that all the sisters share. On the surface, we are simply one of the 12 sororities that exist on campus, however, our unique philosophy is what defines us and creates a common bond among every sister. At a time when discrimination was perhaps more accepted, seven women decided to form a sorority that would not deny membership to those of different race or religion. To this day, every sister is made aware of the importance of this principle. Also, the concept of sisterhood is connected to the value of true friendship On a more superficial level, common ground also exists when girls wear their greek letters with the sorority’s colors and therefore feel connected and form a community for others to visually notice.
Reciprocity exists within the sorority community in many ways. Sisterhood creates close ties that people value and therefore these girls are there for each other when anyone is in need of help whether it be for emotional support or even to help with schoolwork. We have established a tradition at chapter where people can write down comments which are then read aloud. These comments are only made to express any positive experiences or feedback to others who deserve recognition whether it be for a birthday or for simply a kind act.
CMC plays a role in this community most importantly through the use of an email list-serve. This allows emails to be sent out to every active member of the Cornell chapter. Information includes announcements, questions, etc. that can be sent be any member. The use of CMC in my sorority only strengthens the bonds within the community because it allows for more efficient communication between its members. Typing a brief email, followed by a click on the send button transmits that message to over 100 people within the community: a completely exponential effect.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Assignment 7, Option 1: IGN.com's The Vestibule: an exercise in cognitive dissonance.
Of all the different communities that I am a part of, one in particular came into mind during this past week's discussions about social networks: The Vestibule. The Vestibule is one of many of IGN.com's message boards, and probably one of the largest sources on the internet of ridiculous ideas and useless banter. Although IGN is primarily a website devoted to video games, the people who post on the message boards come from various backgrounds. It is because of these diverse ideologies clashing together that such a bellicose atmosphere is formed, and this is why I recommend you save yourself the trouble and never visit The Vestibule.
As I have already said, The Vestibule is a diverse mix of opposing viewpoints: there really is very little common ground to be found. If you make a post about your certain viewpoint, no matter how inane or random the subject may be, I can guarantee you that there will be at least one person in your thread telling you how wrong you are. Most of the threads created are about random, completely different subjects, and half the time the threads themselves are "hijacked" (when the subject in the thread changes completely from the original subject). Additionally, many threads are so-called "babe threads," with pictures of barely-clothed women, which isn't exactly the kind of material that stimulates intelligent conversation. It is for all these reasons that I would categorize The Vestibule as a Gesellschaft network. There is no real sense of connection between all the members of the board, and I would definitely say that it is a dystopic network. To give you a sense of what I've been talking about thus far, I've included a screenshot of the most recent posts at the time I was examining the board.
There are certain instances of reciprocity in the world of The Vestibule. There exists a sort of pseudo-currency, called the WUL, or watched user list. Basically, one person can add another member to their list of watched users. The more people you have watching you, the better you are considered to be by the rest of the community, and your comments may actually even carry more weight. This has lead to many people offering to give WULs to anyone who can solve a difficult homework problem or some other kind of task set forth, and if a person is not rewarded for their hard work with a WUL, it is considered a serious offense.
Because The Vestibule really only exists in the online realm, there is no kind of online/offline synergy to be found. I would say that for any given member of this network, there may be a handful of people they converse with offline, and even then, it is usually friends who lured others into joining this community. I, for example, was talked into joining the Vestibule by my friend Dan. Although I think it might be interesting to see an offline version of the Vestibule in action, I believe the world already has enough problems.
As I have already said, The Vestibule is a diverse mix of opposing viewpoints: there really is very little common ground to be found. If you make a post about your certain viewpoint, no matter how inane or random the subject may be, I can guarantee you that there will be at least one person in your thread telling you how wrong you are. Most of the threads created are about random, completely different subjects, and half the time the threads themselves are "hijacked" (when the subject in the thread changes completely from the original subject). Additionally, many threads are so-called "babe threads," with pictures of barely-clothed women, which isn't exactly the kind of material that stimulates intelligent conversation. It is for all these reasons that I would categorize The Vestibule as a Gesellschaft network. There is no real sense of connection between all the members of the board, and I would definitely say that it is a dystopic network. To give you a sense of what I've been talking about thus far, I've included a screenshot of the most recent posts at the time I was examining the board.
There are certain instances of reciprocity in the world of The Vestibule. There exists a sort of pseudo-currency, called the WUL, or watched user list. Basically, one person can add another member to their list of watched users. The more people you have watching you, the better you are considered to be by the rest of the community, and your comments may actually even carry more weight. This has lead to many people offering to give WULs to anyone who can solve a difficult homework problem or some other kind of task set forth, and if a person is not rewarded for their hard work with a WUL, it is considered a serious offense.
Because The Vestibule really only exists in the online realm, there is no kind of online/offline synergy to be found. I would say that for any given member of this network, there may be a handful of people they converse with offline, and even then, it is usually friends who lured others into joining this community. I, for example, was talked into joining the Vestibule by my friend Dan. Although I think it might be interesting to see an offline version of the Vestibule in action, I believe the world already has enough problems.
7 (opt. 2)- Looking through the Lens: A Limited Perspective
For this assignment, I decided to analyze my closest friend’s facebook profile. In my analysis, I use the Brunswikian Lens Model, in which individuals make inferences about the characteristics of others as well as produce behaviors that reflect their personalities. The lens refers to the environment cues through which observers make inferences about characteristics. Further, analysis through the Five Factor Model reveals actual personality judgments.
The Brunswikian Lens Model describes four mechanisms that link individuals to their environment. First, self-directed identity claims (or statements made by individuals for their own benefit) within my friend’s profile contains his inclusion in the Cornell Alum network, as the statement is solely intended to reinforce his own self views. In this case, he is distinguishing himself from the Class of 2008 because he took his junior year off for an internship. Although a few of his closest friends know the reason he has chosen the alum network, the information is primarily for his own benefit.
Also described in the Brunswikian Lens Model is other-directed identity claims, which have shared meanings to make statements to others about how they would like to be regarded. Concerning my friend’s profile, there are plenty. Spread across every area of his personal information, my friend makes evident his predominant interest- airlines. In his listed activities, he includes Flyertalk (a forum for frequent flyers and airline enthusiasts) as well as his position as Teaching Assistant for an Airline Management course. Further, his interests include airlines and his favorite movies include Airport ’77 and View from the Top. Finally, his quotes certainly depict his airline interest…
The romance of travel lives on.- Singapore Airlines (AIRLINE OF THE YEAR, 2007)
Unmistakingly first.- British Airways
Avanzamos hacia una nueva forma de volar.- Iberia
In addition, the final quote by Iberia shows another other-directed identity claim- Europe, which is also found within his interests (“Europe”) and books, which are all listed in Spanish (as he was born in Spain). As his interests are clear, it is evident that he is making statements with which he would like to be associated.
Regarding interior behavioral residue (physical traces of activities conducted in the immediate environment), my friend is a member of several facebook groups, such as Air Cabin Crew, Valedictorians Unite!, and aficionados del Español. In addition, his posts on other friends’ walls also demonstrates interior behavioral residue, as both the groups and wall posts are activities within the immediate (facebook) surroundings.
Lastly, the Brunswikian Lens Model describes exterior behavioral residue as residue of behaviors performed outside the immediate environment. Numerous pictures of previous flight experiences and Europe exemplify such residue, as the pictures associate my friend with actions performed outside of facebook.
Finally, the Five Factor Model (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and contentiousness) is also applicable. My friend’s neuroticism (emotional instability) cannot be adequately measured using merely his facebook profile. However, extraversion (energy and tendency to seek the company of others) is quite noticeable, as many of my friend’s posted pictures include activities with friends and family. A measure of his openness (appreciation for art, emotion, adventure) is also available simply be looking at his personal information, which reflects a range of appreciation for the arts (film & literature), travel (airlines & Europe), etc. Lastly, information from his profile (such as his pictures with family) shows his compassion toward others, known as agreeableness, as well as depicts his self-discipline and aim for achievement (through information on his aspirations to become an airline CEO and his current academic successes), known as contentiousness within the five-factor model.
Through both the Brunswikian Lens and Five Factor Model, one is able to accurately measure the greatest interests of someone on facebook (given that the neccessary information is provided). However, there is still much more that lies beneath the surface, which only a true friend could know.
The Brunswikian Lens Model describes four mechanisms that link individuals to their environment. First, self-directed identity claims (or statements made by individuals for their own benefit) within my friend’s profile contains his inclusion in the Cornell Alum network, as the statement is solely intended to reinforce his own self views. In this case, he is distinguishing himself from the Class of 2008 because he took his junior year off for an internship. Although a few of his closest friends know the reason he has chosen the alum network, the information is primarily for his own benefit.
Also described in the Brunswikian Lens Model is other-directed identity claims, which have shared meanings to make statements to others about how they would like to be regarded. Concerning my friend’s profile, there are plenty. Spread across every area of his personal information, my friend makes evident his predominant interest- airlines. In his listed activities, he includes Flyertalk (a forum for frequent flyers and airline enthusiasts) as well as his position as Teaching Assistant for an Airline Management course. Further, his interests include airlines and his favorite movies include Airport ’77 and View from the Top. Finally, his quotes certainly depict his airline interest…
The romance of travel lives on.- Singapore Airlines (AIRLINE OF THE YEAR, 2007)
Unmistakingly first.- British Airways
Avanzamos hacia una nueva forma de volar.- Iberia
In addition, the final quote by Iberia shows another other-directed identity claim- Europe, which is also found within his interests (“Europe”) and books, which are all listed in Spanish (as he was born in Spain). As his interests are clear, it is evident that he is making statements with which he would like to be associated.
Regarding interior behavioral residue (physical traces of activities conducted in the immediate environment), my friend is a member of several facebook groups, such as Air Cabin Crew, Valedictorians Unite!, and aficionados del Español. In addition, his posts on other friends’ walls also demonstrates interior behavioral residue, as both the groups and wall posts are activities within the immediate (facebook) surroundings.
Lastly, the Brunswikian Lens Model describes exterior behavioral residue as residue of behaviors performed outside the immediate environment. Numerous pictures of previous flight experiences and Europe exemplify such residue, as the pictures associate my friend with actions performed outside of facebook.
Finally, the Five Factor Model (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and contentiousness) is also applicable. My friend’s neuroticism (emotional instability) cannot be adequately measured using merely his facebook profile. However, extraversion (energy and tendency to seek the company of others) is quite noticeable, as many of my friend’s posted pictures include activities with friends and family. A measure of his openness (appreciation for art, emotion, adventure) is also available simply be looking at his personal information, which reflects a range of appreciation for the arts (film & literature), travel (airlines & Europe), etc. Lastly, information from his profile (such as his pictures with family) shows his compassion toward others, known as agreeableness, as well as depicts his self-discipline and aim for achievement (through information on his aspirations to become an airline CEO and his current academic successes), known as contentiousness within the five-factor model.
Through both the Brunswikian Lens and Five Factor Model, one is able to accurately measure the greatest interests of someone on facebook (given that the neccessary information is provided). However, there is still much more that lies beneath the surface, which only a true friend could know.
7 - Community in the CDC
As a career assistant in the College of Human Ecology’s Career Development Center, one of my communities on campus is the group of students and advisors who work at the Center. My job involves working at the Career Development Center (CDC) 6-8 hours per week where I critique resumes, assist students with searching for internships and externships, and help with career workshops and events. My specialist role is internships and professional development.
Haythornwaite describes a community as having a social network aspect, common ground, and reciprocity. In relation to the social network aspect, networks are made up of ties and actors. As a career assistant, my strongest ties are with the group of 8 other student career assistants I work with and the advisors of the Center. We have group meetings once a week, I see them every day at work, and collaborate closely with them on group projects. We have access to the same resources and information. In addition to these strong ties, I also have ties with other faculty and staff members within Human Ecology to whom we refer students to. While these ties are not as strong as my ties with the other career assistants, I still consider them to be on the stronger spectrum of the scale. I have met and gotten to know many of these people and while I do not see them constantly, I have frequent contact with them. I think that some of the weaker ties would be people who work in the main Career Center on campus, and the people who work in the career development centers in the different colleges. I am not usually in contact with these people, but our paths do sometimes cross through campus wide events and programs.
In terms of common ground, the other career assistants and I work together to promote career development and continue to make our career center as useful as possible to students. We are committed to the same values – we all want to help the students who come in as best as we can and are always re-evaluating and assessing students’ needs and thinking of ways we can meet this needs. Reciprocity is also an important aspect of this community. We are constantly re-enforcing one another – helping each other when we do not know answers to specific questions, giving each other suggestions, and supporting one other. At our meetings, we bring up situations or questions we had trouble with in the past week and try to help each other find solutions to these issues.
CMC affects this community. We use email a lot to communicate with one another and let each other know about new information about a program or upcoming events so that we are all aware of what is going on. Through email, we send out the minutes to our meetings and any questions or group reminders. CMC also relates to the social network aspect, in particular the strong ties. All of the career assistants are friends on Facebook and we all know a lot about what is going on in each other’s lives. I think that Facebook makes our ties stronger because it builds on and enhances our working relationships, making us a stronger and more cohesive group both inside and outside the CDC.
http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/Academics/Career-Services/Resources/CDC.cfm
Haythornwaite describes a community as having a social network aspect, common ground, and reciprocity. In relation to the social network aspect, networks are made up of ties and actors. As a career assistant, my strongest ties are with the group of 8 other student career assistants I work with and the advisors of the Center. We have group meetings once a week, I see them every day at work, and collaborate closely with them on group projects. We have access to the same resources and information. In addition to these strong ties, I also have ties with other faculty and staff members within Human Ecology to whom we refer students to. While these ties are not as strong as my ties with the other career assistants, I still consider them to be on the stronger spectrum of the scale. I have met and gotten to know many of these people and while I do not see them constantly, I have frequent contact with them. I think that some of the weaker ties would be people who work in the main Career Center on campus, and the people who work in the career development centers in the different colleges. I am not usually in contact with these people, but our paths do sometimes cross through campus wide events and programs.
In terms of common ground, the other career assistants and I work together to promote career development and continue to make our career center as useful as possible to students. We are committed to the same values – we all want to help the students who come in as best as we can and are always re-evaluating and assessing students’ needs and thinking of ways we can meet this needs. Reciprocity is also an important aspect of this community. We are constantly re-enforcing one another – helping each other when we do not know answers to specific questions, giving each other suggestions, and supporting one other. At our meetings, we bring up situations or questions we had trouble with in the past week and try to help each other find solutions to these issues.
CMC affects this community. We use email a lot to communicate with one another and let each other know about new information about a program or upcoming events so that we are all aware of what is going on. Through email, we send out the minutes to our meetings and any questions or group reminders. CMC also relates to the social network aspect, in particular the strong ties. All of the career assistants are friends on Facebook and we all know a lot about what is going on in each other’s lives. I think that Facebook makes our ties stronger because it builds on and enhances our working relationships, making us a stronger and more cohesive group both inside and outside the CDC.
http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/Academics/Career-Services/Resources/CDC.cfm
7 (opt. 2): WOW…one e-mail can certainly say a lot.
My Uncle’s wife recently sent an e-mail to my mother about an event that occurred while my parents were visiting them in
A large part of her description involved differences in culture between herself and my family, and how that may have impacted the event that had prompted her to right the e-mail. These statements were clearly “other-directed identity claims” according to the Brunswikian Lens Model, in that they she was directing information about herself to another. She wrote about her customs in comparison to ours, and how that must have been the reason for the difference in opinion that had occurred. This helped me learn more about openness to experience, and interest in other cultures. She used “self-directed identity claims,” or cues that are inwardly oriented, yet done purposely by the individual in her final sentence of the e-mail. She wrote a sentence in Spanish, knowing very well that my mother does not know any Spanish. Therefore, one could only assume that this was more directed toward herself as my mother would not be able to understand it. However, this does give us information about her personality, whether it was meant to or not.
The concept of behavioral residue is one that I find most interesting in that these are those little cues we pick up on about people when they do not mean for them to be there. It gives us information about the person without the person purposely or physically putting it out there. “Interior behavioral residue:” is information that we learn about a person within the online space being used, so in this case, within the e-mail. What I first noticed when my mother sent me this e-mail was that the subject line was entitled, “cute.” I thought to myself, I would not describe this e-mail as “cute.” However, as I read further down, I realized that she had previously written her an e-mail about something funny she found on Youtube, and thus was writing this e-mail as a response as opposed to beginning a new e-mail thread. This told me that my mother and Uncle’s wife had actually had very positive contact previously via CMC. Something from their past relationship had unintentionally given me a clue about her personality within this limited environment. “Exterior behavioral residue,” on the other hand, is something that we learn about someone entirely outside of the internet environment. She mentioned how she would be going to dinner with friends this weekend at a very nice restaurant in
http://comm245purple.blogspot.com/2007/10/looking-through-lens-limited.html
Assignment 7: Option 1 Tridelt's online and offline social network
Etzioni and Etzioni define a community as a “web of affect-laden relationships that encompasses a group of individuals – relationships that crisscross and reinforce one another, rather than simply a chain of one-on-one relationships…bonding…requires a measure of commitment to a set of shared values, mores, meanings and a shared historical identity – in short, a culture” (Haythornthwaite 128-29). In other words, people need to have a close knit bond or association and have common beliefs and views or understandings; they are bonds with people that we feel are similar to us. The community that I have recently become very much involved with is my sorority, Delta Delta Delta.
Tridelta has many social network qualities, both online and offline. One of the ways that every Tridelt in the nation can stay connected is through the national website, http://www.deltadeltadelta.org/. There are links to other Tridelta chapters, member alumni, philanthropy, news, events, and much more. However, a way for the Cornell chapter to stay connected is not only through the link on the national website, but through one of our Facebook groups (I would post the link but it is a private group); in this group, members are updated about upcoming social events, philanthropy events from both our sorority and other Greek life on campus, news, and much more. We can also respond to events by giving feedback and informing other sisters of other personal events that are important to us, such as a dance performance, club, or philanthropy event not related to the sorority.
Members of my sorority also stay connected through other methods of computer mediated communication, most notably Facebook (not specific group mentioned above), such as writing on walls, posting pictures, and sending messages, and instant messaging. While I know every current member of my sorority, there are definitely strong ties and weak ties within the house. Pictures usually get posted by the same people and I usually write on the same Facebook walls. However, there are certain people that I come into contact with more frequently than others in more types of media. This is known as media multiplexity; “the stronger the tie, the more media used” (Haythornthwaite 128). Although I may see them in person, I still talk to them through instant messaging, text messaging, Facebook, and sometimes even email. I maintain many relations with these particular girls both socially and emotionally. The girls that I have weak ties with are not as weak as described by Haythornthwaite because I see them weekly, but the relational multiplexity is weaker because of we do not engage as much as the girls I have stronger ties with.
While Tridelts stay connected through computer mediated communication, there is also a large offline synergy. Tonnies defines community as “a collective based on strong interpersonal ties, face-to-face interaction, a shared focus and common purpose, language and identity, all largely associated with an ideal of the pastoral village” (Haythornthwaite 122). While most of our interactions take place offline such as in meetings, class, and social events, CMC has a large effect on the way Delta Delta Delta operates. The Tridelta community is not based solely offline or online; we are able to receive information not only through the many Facebook groups, but through emails, the national website, instant messaging and many other forms of media, both lean and rich.
Tridelta has many social network qualities, both online and offline. One of the ways that every Tridelt in the nation can stay connected is through the national website, http://www.deltadeltadelta.org/. There are links to other Tridelta chapters, member alumni, philanthropy, news, events, and much more. However, a way for the Cornell chapter to stay connected is not only through the link on the national website, but through one of our Facebook groups (I would post the link but it is a private group); in this group, members are updated about upcoming social events, philanthropy events from both our sorority and other Greek life on campus, news, and much more. We can also respond to events by giving feedback and informing other sisters of other personal events that are important to us, such as a dance performance, club, or philanthropy event not related to the sorority.
Members of my sorority also stay connected through other methods of computer mediated communication, most notably Facebook (not specific group mentioned above), such as writing on walls, posting pictures, and sending messages, and instant messaging. While I know every current member of my sorority, there are definitely strong ties and weak ties within the house. Pictures usually get posted by the same people and I usually write on the same Facebook walls. However, there are certain people that I come into contact with more frequently than others in more types of media. This is known as media multiplexity; “the stronger the tie, the more media used” (Haythornthwaite 128). Although I may see them in person, I still talk to them through instant messaging, text messaging, Facebook, and sometimes even email. I maintain many relations with these particular girls both socially and emotionally. The girls that I have weak ties with are not as weak as described by Haythornthwaite because I see them weekly, but the relational multiplexity is weaker because of we do not engage as much as the girls I have stronger ties with.
While Tridelts stay connected through computer mediated communication, there is also a large offline synergy. Tonnies defines community as “a collective based on strong interpersonal ties, face-to-face interaction, a shared focus and common purpose, language and identity, all largely associated with an ideal of the pastoral village” (Haythornthwaite 122). While most of our interactions take place offline such as in meetings, class, and social events, CMC has a large effect on the way Delta Delta Delta operates. The Tridelta community is not based solely offline or online; we are able to receive information not only through the many Facebook groups, but through emails, the national website, instant messaging and many other forms of media, both lean and rich.
#7 - Option 1: My Greek Community
My sorority is a community; we have strong interpersonal ties each other because we each have a common identity of being in the same sorority, jargon only we can understand as well, and a shared focus as members of an organization. My sorority exemplifies strong characteristics of a utopic Gemeinschaft ideal.
The actors of my social network are my sorority sisters. I have strong ties with them; we communicate everyday, FtF and through CMC. There is homophily because we each have close ties with the Asian community, believe in community service, and work together for the sorority. We usually like the same types of music and have similar interests. This creates strong social capital because we are able to relate and connect to each other and trust each other.
Many types of relationships are maintained in my network. I have relationships with some actors that are organizationally based; other stronger ties, involve matters that dwell outside of sorority matters and involve more "important matters". This contributes to my egocentric network because I am able to relate to at least one person on for the different situations I encounter (school, organization, living situation, etc). Depending on the nature of the matter, I talk to the person who will be able to understand or help me the most. Internal groups in my network exist; I consider those in my network to be part of distinct groups, sometimes grouped by age, living location or major. If I had questions of graduation for example, I'd talk to the members of my network who are also graduating, thus grouped by age. Also, similar fraternities or sororities that are also in the greater Cornell Greek community share weak ties with me. We are connected by the fact we are both Greek, but being in different organizations weakens the ties.
My community is influenced by CMC. I have different schedules with my network. We stay connected through an email list serve, instant messaging, and through the phone. Each medium has a different purpose; list serve, organizational; instant messaging, personal matters; phone, more immediate matters. My ties through CMC are also different in my network than in FtF. I communicate with different sisters about different topics, depending on the medium. These interactions help build our relationship FtF. My network is often separated into groups based on the best medium to contact each other. I know which medium through which I can most likely talk to someone in my network.
The actors of my social network are my sorority sisters. I have strong ties with them; we communicate everyday, FtF and through CMC. There is homophily because we each have close ties with the Asian community, believe in community service, and work together for the sorority. We usually like the same types of music and have similar interests. This creates strong social capital because we are able to relate and connect to each other and trust each other.
Many types of relationships are maintained in my network. I have relationships with some actors that are organizationally based; other stronger ties, involve matters that dwell outside of sorority matters and involve more "important matters". This contributes to my egocentric network because I am able to relate to at least one person on for the different situations I encounter (school, organization, living situation, etc). Depending on the nature of the matter, I talk to the person who will be able to understand or help me the most. Internal groups in my network exist; I consider those in my network to be part of distinct groups, sometimes grouped by age, living location or major. If I had questions of graduation for example, I'd talk to the members of my network who are also graduating, thus grouped by age. Also, similar fraternities or sororities that are also in the greater Cornell Greek community share weak ties with me. We are connected by the fact we are both Greek, but being in different organizations weakens the ties.
My community is influenced by CMC. I have different schedules with my network. We stay connected through an email list serve, instant messaging, and through the phone. Each medium has a different purpose; list serve, organizational; instant messaging, personal matters; phone, more immediate matters. My ties through CMC are also different in my network than in FtF. I communicate with different sisters about different topics, depending on the medium. These interactions help build our relationship FtF. My network is often separated into groups based on the best medium to contact each other. I know which medium through which I can most likely talk to someone in my network.
Assignment #7; Option 1- Finding community in a gap year
I apologize if I center many blogs on this topic, but the community that I joined when I took a gap year to study in a seminary in Jerusalem is extremely salient in my life. The yearlong program, Midreshet Lindenbaum, is comprised of girls just finishing high school that come from literally all over the world with the common goal of immersing themselves in Jewish studies and learning about Israel and its culture in depth by experiencing it firsthand.
According to Haythornwaite, it would be described as a Gemeinschaft as it fostered a community among girls with a shared objective and identity. It also created a social network of strong ties with the eighty girls of my year, since as we spend an intense time during our first year away from home together. Not only did I become a member of the community consisting of the girls from my year, but also my community was extended further to include the extensive network the alumni and faculty members of Lindenbaum.
Last year, accessing my friends, who were from all over ranging from LA to Berlin, was so effortless as everyone would mingle on Ben Yehuda, a pedestrian sidewalk similar to Ho Plaza. CMC, though last year rarely affected the community, now has a tremendous role (and in many cases is the only tool used) in keeping us in touch with one another. One of the most effective CMC methods that the seminary has been using is the Alumnae Newsletter as it updates everyone about the school and the activities of the alumni and faculty. Through the newsletter, we’re also informed about reunions and exposed to variety of opportunities. Former students have found employment and met their husbands through utilizing their weaker ties with alums and faculty members.
Additionally, Facebook has been a great means of catching up with the girls, especially with my international friends like my suitemate from New Zealand, because I don’t have to bother with calling cards or calculating the time differences in order to speak to them. Although the formulation of our friendships happened offline, we’ve moved into the world of the Internet to keep our community flourishing.
According to Haythornwaite, it would be described as a Gemeinschaft as it fostered a community among girls with a shared objective and identity. It also created a social network of strong ties with the eighty girls of my year, since as we spend an intense time during our first year away from home together. Not only did I become a member of the community consisting of the girls from my year, but also my community was extended further to include the extensive network the alumni and faculty members of Lindenbaum.
Last year, accessing my friends, who were from all over ranging from LA to Berlin, was so effortless as everyone would mingle on Ben Yehuda, a pedestrian sidewalk similar to Ho Plaza. CMC, though last year rarely affected the community, now has a tremendous role (and in many cases is the only tool used) in keeping us in touch with one another. One of the most effective CMC methods that the seminary has been using is the Alumnae Newsletter as it updates everyone about the school and the activities of the alumni and faculty. Through the newsletter, we’re also informed about reunions and exposed to variety of opportunities. Former students have found employment and met their husbands through utilizing their weaker ties with alums and faculty members.
Additionally, Facebook has been a great means of catching up with the girls, especially with my international friends like my suitemate from New Zealand, because I don’t have to bother with calling cards or calculating the time differences in order to speak to them. Although the formulation of our friendships happened offline, we’ve moved into the world of the Internet to keep our community flourishing.
7, Option 2: Profile of a Professional Celebrity Gossiper
As an avid follower of celebrity gossip, I can tell you the daily Starbucks runs of Britney Spears, the latest celebrity divorce or Anna Nicole Smith lawsuit, and that dubious new fellow Lindsay Lohan met in rehab and is now dating. I get my daily (sometimes hourly) fix from Dlisted.com, the (even more!) outlandish alternative of celebrity gossip blog to PerezHilton.com. Dlisted features many sections dedicated to widely written celebrities, giving unique nicknames to each celebrity. Paris Hilton is Parasite Hilton, and Sarah Jessica Parker is My Little Pony Parker, to mention a few of the nicer nicknames. When there is a lack of gossip, the website will display recent pictures of a celebrity and analyze their external appearance. The blog also features a contest for the blog visitors to come up with a clever caption for wacky photographs, a message board, and a daily list of celebrities who have birthdays that day. The blogger gives his name as Michael K, but little information past that. Through his commentary, we learn that he is 28 years old, lives in New York City and is openly gay.
According to the Brunswickian Lens, people produce "personality by-products" whereby they generate artifacts and behave in ways that reflect their true personalities. This means that the sarcasm, cattiness, and superficiality Michael K portrays as part of his celebrity gossip website reflects characteristics he possesses in his true self. If I perceive the cues Michael K sends out as him being a superficial person (cue utilization) and it is found that Michael K is actually superficial (cue validity), then functional achievement occurs.
After searching around the Internet, I found Michael K had a MySpace, which allowed me to determine more information about him. The Myspace is chock-full of other-directed identity claims, which are claims Michael makes to his Myspace audience, presumably those that know him through his website, that he would like the audience to know about him. On his MySpace, Michael K lists his favorite music, television shows, movies, as well as his height, hometown and the fact that he is divorced. In addition, Michael has a link on his main MySpace to another one of his MySpace pages, in which you have to be approved by Michael K to view. This is presumably a personal MySpace page, intended for an audience of intimate friends. The link on his main page to a personal page is a self-directed identity claim. Since a self-identity claim is a symbolic statement made for an individual's benefit to re-enforce their self views, the link on his main website to his private website perhaps reminds Michael K that even though he is a well known web-celebrity, he has his personal life off the Internet too. Since his intimate MySpace link isn't open to the public, most likely Michael K posted the link for his own self-image.
In addition to identity claims, there are many internal and external behavioral residues left by Michael K both in his Dlisted blog and MySpace. It is safe to assume that Michael K engages in many sources of Internet activity on the web, which define internal behavioral residues. Throughout the day, Dlisted is updated every couple of minutes, creating about 30 blog post items per day! Through these blog posts, the viewer is able to perceive Michael K's opinion on who is beautiful in Hollywood and who is not, who Michael K thinks is talented in Hollywood, as well as his raunchy, self-deprecating sense of humor. On Michael K's MySpace, external behavioral residues are visible. External behavioral residues are defined as behaviors performed by individuals entirely outside the surroundings. However, external residues can also be applied to social network web spaces to be defined as information left on an interactive web site by others about the profiler's behavior outside the web space. In his MySpace, most of the comments posted about Michael K are written by fans of his blog, gushing with admiration about his humor and wit on Dlisted. Although this is information posted by others, their comments do not reflect Michael K's behaviors outside the web space since none of the commenters know him on a personal level. By Googling his name however, I obtained a few interviews Michael K gave to other websites about how he started his blog, his favorite celebrity, and his hobbies outside of celebrity blogging. By giving an interview to outside sources, external behavioral residual cues remained.
In terms of the five factors, I would say Michael K is not as open as other bloggers. Although I agree that he needs a level of secrecy since his website encounters a broad audience, he is loath to discuss his personal life when talking about celebrities. Besides making comments indicating his sexual orientation, Michael K never talks about where he grew up, what kind of family he has, or life experiences. While other bloggers may relate celebrity news to their own life, Michael doesn't seem to be as open. Even in his MySpace, he doesn't reveal too much information and posts a few pictures that don't identify his appearance outwardly.
In terms of conscientiousness,
Michael K seems to be extremely outspoken, lewd and therefore not very conscientious. However, his sense of humor and his website popularity reflect a conscientiousness
in that sense that he can deliver and satisfy the entertainment needs of many. Since he constantly updates his blog, he seems like a hard worker and conscientious in that way too. As far as being agreeable, Michael K doesn't seem to portray an agreeable person through his blog: he is quick to call those celebrities not immaculately polished (such as Tara Reid) "messes", those photographed with a bag of Cheetos as "gluttonous" (such as Britney Spears), calls out celebrities he thinks are too heavy or too thin (too many to name), those with opposing political beliefs as "nutcases" (such as the conservative views expressed by Patricia Heaton) or those with different religious views (such as Tom Cruise and Scientology) as "aliens." Clearly, Michael K does not seem to be an agreeable and open-minded person. In addition, Michael K seems extremely neurotic. His job consists of looking at celebrities and critiquing them either through their physical appearance or a newsworthy story posted about them. Michael K comes off as very critical of others, and includes many self-deprecating jokes about himself. In the About Me Section of Dlisted, Michael writes that he has no life and that "What he lacks for in brains he makes for in....um...he makes up for in....in....um...gummy bears...yeah that's the ticket."
7-op. 2 Facebook Stalking and the Brunswikian Lends Model
Who doesn’t love a chance to facebook stalk? With option 2, I thought it was a great opportunity to get to know my sibling better while doing my homework! My younger sister is a freshman in high school, and has changed a lot in the past few years since I’ve gone to college. Whenever I am home she is always gone with her friends and I rarely see her, plus I have spent a lot of time traveling outside the country and have not had much time to spend with her. So I thought I could get to know her better using the Brunswikian Len Model (after all, Facebook is always an accurate display of people, right?) Since her facebook profile has lots of information and updates, I thought combining cue validity (the cues that she provides about herself) and cue utilization (using the cues she has left on facebook) would allow for functional achievement (or, an accurate judgment of her personality).
There are four individual-environmental links that are described in the Brunswikian Lens Model. The first one, self-directed identity claims, is information that one puts up that provides information about oneself that represents you and is information your friends will understand. For example, my sister is married to one of her camp friends who lives in a different state. This shows her sense of humor of being married to a friend, as well as shows her connection to friends outside of her highschool/immediate social network. To all her camp friends they know who her friend is and they will understand their close relationship and why they are married on facebook. This also helps to show her extraversion, because it shows that my sister is outgoing and has connections to other people, mainly a good friend who wants to be married to her on facebook. She also has many quotes listed that are inside jokes and only her immediate friends would understand. For example, I have no idea why the quote “"is that a wall?" -"yes it is."” However, her friends probably understand it and laugh hysterically every time they read it. These inside jokes also serve to show her extraversion because she has friends who understand them
She also has posted many other-directed identity claims, which is information she has put up to inform others about herself. For example, her about me reads “short. brunettte. vegetarian. dr.pepper♥stuffing<3.
There is a picture of her in her camp bunk before she and her friends are going to play color war. There are also many “graffiti” drawings on her wall that basically all read some variation of “I LOVE YOU JULZI!” that her friends have left her.
This shows that she is extraverted, as well as agreeable, and some of them mention activities they have done, implying activities that my sister has done outside of facebook.
From all these analyzations, it appears that my sister is very conscientious of providing an image of herself as being popular and having lots of friends. With all the comments on her wall and graffiti drawings from her friends claiming their love for her, and her exclamations of love for her friends (especially Vicki..) it can be seen that she is extraverted and agreeable, while also a bit neurotic about showing her “popularity.” While I have learned a lot about my sister through facebook stalking her, I think I should spend more time with her one on one. After all, she is obviously so loveable, as all her friends repeatedly point out.
my comments:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3186874989969223722&postID=1574811819060721401
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3186874989969223722&postID=8639598297931421861
There are four individual-environmental links that are described in the Brunswikian Lens Model. The first one, self-directed identity claims, is information that one puts up that provides information about oneself that represents you and is information your friends will understand. For example, my sister is married to one of her camp friends who lives in a different state. This shows her sense of humor of being married to a friend, as well as shows her connection to friends outside of her highschool/immediate social network. To all her camp friends they know who her friend is and they will understand their close relationship and why they are married on facebook. This also helps to show her extraversion, because it shows that my sister is outgoing and has connections to other people, mainly a good friend who wants to be married to her on facebook. She also has many quotes listed that are inside jokes and only her immediate friends would understand. For example, I have no idea why the quote “"is that a wall?" -"yes it is."” However, her friends probably understand it and laugh hysterically every time they read it. These inside jokes also serve to show her extraversion because she has friends who understand them
She also has posted many other-directed identity claims, which is information she has put up to inform others about herself. For example, her about me reads “short. brunettte. vegetarian. dr.pepper♥stuffing<3.
There is a picture of her in her camp bunk before she and her friends are going to play color war. There are also many “graffiti” drawings on her wall that basically all read some variation of “I LOVE YOU JULZI!” that her friends have left her.
This shows that she is extraverted, as well as agreeable, and some of them mention activities they have done, implying activities that my sister has done outside of facebook.
From all these analyzations, it appears that my sister is very conscientious of providing an image of herself as being popular and having lots of friends. With all the comments on her wall and graffiti drawings from her friends claiming their love for her, and her exclamations of love for her friends (especially Vicki..) it can be seen that she is extraverted and agreeable, while also a bit neurotic about showing her “popularity.” While I have learned a lot about my sister through facebook stalking her, I think I should spend more time with her one on one. After all, she is obviously so loveable, as all her friends repeatedly point out.
my comments:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3186874989969223722&postID=1574811819060721401
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3186874989969223722&postID=8639598297931421861
7 (1) Sweet home Delta Gamma...
This semester is my second as a member of Cornell's chapter of Delta Gamma Women's Fraternity. Our national website (www.deltagamma.org) says that DG "offers to women of all ages a rich heritage; a continuity based on sound and tested principles of personal integrity, personal responsibility, and intellectual honesty." While this statement holds true, it is certainly not the only area of experiences a woman will have as a Delta Gamma. In fact, we have many qualities, especially some relative to SNA. We share strong bonds of sisterhood, but our socialization reaches beyond our own house. We all have friends outside of DG. We socialize with many other houses on campus-- mostly fraternities, but other sororities as well. We also sponsor two major social events each semester in which each sister is allowed to invite a certain number of guests. Finally, we lend support (financial and otherwise to our philanthropy projects. Our national DG philanthropy is Service for Sight, but DGs can also be found at other Greek events such as Theta's "Tip-A-Canoe," Phi Kappa Tau's "Phi Tug," or Alpha Xi Delta's annual Twister tournament.
Additionally, DG has a common purpose, and (once again) our strong bond of sisterhood. Our shared views and agendas can be observed in the way we socialize together (which we do...a lot) and in the way we work toward achieving a philanthropic goal. We share a common language through our traditions that have been passed down from our three founders. For example, only members know the significance of each of the Greek letters that appear on our badge.
CMC does, in deed, affect the way we interact. Of course, through Facebook it is very easy for all of us to identify as Delta Gammas. We have groups for our respective pledge classes, as well as a Cornell chapter and global network groups. Through new Facebook applications, we can insert the Delta Gamma badge on our Facebook homepages. Also, we use our e-mail listserve to communicate with each other. Finally, we are able to post pictures of social events and other major events. While the vast majority of our interactions and communication takes place offline, there is a separate online synergy that allows us to identify as a group even in the online realm.
Additionally, DG has a common purpose, and (once again) our strong bond of sisterhood. Our shared views and agendas can be observed in the way we socialize together (which we do...a lot) and in the way we work toward achieving a philanthropic goal. We share a common language through our traditions that have been passed down from our three founders. For example, only members know the significance of each of the Greek letters that appear on our badge.
CMC does, in deed, affect the way we interact. Of course, through Facebook it is very easy for all of us to identify as Delta Gammas. We have groups for our respective pledge classes, as well as a Cornell chapter and global network groups. Through new Facebook applications, we can insert the Delta Gamma badge on our Facebook homepages. Also, we use our e-mail listserve to communicate with each other. Finally, we are able to post pictures of social events and other major events. While the vast majority of our interactions and communication takes place offline, there is a separate online synergy that allows us to identify as a group even in the online realm.
Assignment 7: Option 1
For assignment number 7, I chose option number one. Using the SNA attributes, I decided to choose my family as the community to identify and describe. My family includes my father, mother, two younger sisters, and my younger brother. Nodes extend from my family that I live with to cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents…you get the picture.
I believe that my family relates to Gemeinshacft’s explanation of community because we are bonded by strong interpersonal ties, we share focuses, have a common purpose, language and identity. Our relationships “crisscross and reinforce one another” and have commitment towards a “shared set of values, mores, meanings, and a shared historical identity” (Etzioni & Etzioni, 1999). For example, we all support one another, we all believe in respecting our elders, we all use our manners, and we, of course, share cousins and grandparents and uncles. We spend a lot of time with one another, which further reinforces our strong bonds. We stay connected through face to face interaction when we are all together, and over the phone and internet when we apart (for example: when my Dad is traveling or when I’m away at school) and we attend and watch each others sports games.
In regards to whether or not CMC affects my family as a community, it does. CMC interactions allow me to keep in touch and up to date with my family while I’m away at school – for example, I’ll regularly email my Dad because I know he’ll check his email before picking up his cell phone while he’s working, I send my Mom email from time to time because she just learned how to use and gets excited when someone writes to her, and I constantly talk with my sisters and brothers on AIM. Without CMC interaction, my contact time with my family would be greatly reduced.
#7- SNA communities
This is not the first time I mentioned this online community of mine, but it really serves as a perfect example for many of the group-related topics in this class.
In this virtual social network (it's not facebook or anything like that; it's an online coordination forum for a MMPORG), the obvious common ground we all share is our involvement with the game we all play. We all use abbreviations that we assume everyone in the forum would know (like PKing- player killing, RPing- roleplaying, VSB- very strongly barricaded buildings). The role-playing is an important commitment we all accept as a part of the community. Any intentional break from the role-playing without a good reason and without the proverbial double parentheses that we use for OOC ((out of character)) dialogue would generally earn you an "arched eyebrow."
Because the members of the forum all operate in different parts of the actual game world outside the forum, we often ask each other for favours in other parts of the virtual world (reciprocity). We ask other players to come to our locations to give us a hand against "zombies." We don't exactly "expect" other players to return the favour, but we certainly would feel a bit angry if we ask someone whom we have helped in the past and they turn us down flatly. I guess the more appropriate way to put it is that we establish friendships where we positively help each other.
The social structures of the network is also interesting because we have strong ties and weak ties. We know really well a small group of people who work in zones around us. Then there are the people a bit further away that we don't know as well, but may be tied to the people we know. These weak ties provide us with information from places far away. For example, if one ammo restocking site was swarmed with zombies, we can tap into our weak ties to find out where another restocking site further away may be relatively safe.
So yes, even in this little space (it's not facebook, it's not some internet dating site), we have quite a thriving social network that matches many of the attributes of the SNA. Though we don't have any interactions offline (no online/offline synergies), we still have really close connections everyday as we go to the gaming world.
In this virtual social network (it's not facebook or anything like that; it's an online coordination forum for a MMPORG), the obvious common ground we all share is our involvement with the game we all play. We all use abbreviations that we assume everyone in the forum would know (like PKing- player killing, RPing- roleplaying, VSB- very strongly barricaded buildings). The role-playing is an important commitment we all accept as a part of the community. Any intentional break from the role-playing without a good reason and without the proverbial double parentheses that we use for OOC ((out of character)) dialogue would generally earn you an "arched eyebrow."
Because the members of the forum all operate in different parts of the actual game world outside the forum, we often ask each other for favours in other parts of the virtual world (reciprocity). We ask other players to come to our locations to give us a hand against "zombies." We don't exactly "expect" other players to return the favour, but we certainly would feel a bit angry if we ask someone whom we have helped in the past and they turn us down flatly. I guess the more appropriate way to put it is that we establish friendships where we positively help each other.
The social structures of the network is also interesting because we have strong ties and weak ties. We know really well a small group of people who work in zones around us. Then there are the people a bit further away that we don't know as well, but may be tied to the people we know. These weak ties provide us with information from places far away. For example, if one ammo restocking site was swarmed with zombies, we can tap into our weak ties to find out where another restocking site further away may be relatively safe.
So yes, even in this little space (it's not facebook, it's not some internet dating site), we have quite a thriving social network that matches many of the attributes of the SNA. Though we don't have any interactions offline (no online/offline synergies), we still have really close connections everyday as we go to the gaming world.
Assignment 7 behavioral residue the stronger pair
I do not want to be too ordinary, but I was very curious as to how this would turn out if I were to do an analysis of someone I know very well, using, of all things, their facebook profile. To do this, I am going to use the Brunswikian Lens Model and its four mechanisms which I will explain, and to standardize the personality judgments, I will use the Five Factor Model from Hancock and Dunham.
The Brunswikian Lens Model uses four mechanisms to look at cue validity and cue utilization. The idea is very similar to the previous posts in this blog about impression formation and impression management; the key difference is that with the Brunswikian Lens Model, I will be looking at the cues as interactive elements of the profile. This means that her profile is not made of static elements that she produced, but of interactive elements that her social network, including herself, combines to create an impression of her.
The four mechanisms, or categories, that link her to her environment that we will use to analyze are, self-directed identity claims, other-directed identity claims, interior behavioral residue and exterior behavioral residue. The claims are things that she has posted herself about her, and as the name has suggested, are either directed at herself or own group of friends, or are clearly directed at other people. Behavioral residue is evidence of who she is within the space (interior) and outside of the space (exterior) with the space in this case being the facebook environment.
So, on with the analysis. Using the previously mention five factor model, the 5 factors of her personality that I will analyze are neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. These "big five personality traits" are explained Here.
First I'll look at identity claims. Some self-directed identity claims that are on her profile are things like her hometown in all capital letters, or a nickname for the group she went camping with over fall break. These are things that she posted to remind herself and her friends of who they are, and they show her extraversion (energy in the all caps of HONOLULU!!!) and agreeableness (compassion to the group that went camping with her). The other-directed identity claims that I'll pick out are things like it says she is in a relationship. It is a signal to others that says, "I'm taken", or even "He's mine". Others are her listing of where she works, and her education information, which are listed very formally as claims about her conscientiousness, or the some of the quotes like "we are going sane in a crazy world" hinting at some openness.
The other, easier to find connectors to her environments are the behavioral residue. The residue that is easiest to see is what is presented in her "mini news-feed" and the posts friends have put on her wall. The wall shows an example of her agreeableness in other environments with a post of someone saying, "thank you for hosting this weekend and introducing me to everyone!" or in her openness within the environment with the "spells cast" application where she has cast a "hovering charm" on her boyfriend, making him temporarily float.
Her profile seems to be primarily filled with behavioral residue, and most of that is external. It appears that most of her interaction with environments that are shown in her profile are environments outside of facebook. The impressions she gives using the self- and other-directed identity claims do not come out nearly as strong (to me at least) as does the behavioral residue. My analysis of her, primarily using external behavioral residue is that she is very agreeable and conscientious, which can be learned from the compliments and thanks she receives for things she has done. There are no signs of high neuroticism anywhere except one identity claim, which is hard to tell if it is self-directed or other-directed, but it says, "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger", which on seconds look, could be a more positive outlook and low neuroticism. It is a weaker claim.
The Brunswikian Lens Model uses four mechanisms to look at cue validity and cue utilization. The idea is very similar to the previous posts in this blog about impression formation and impression management; the key difference is that with the Brunswikian Lens Model, I will be looking at the cues as interactive elements of the profile. This means that her profile is not made of static elements that she produced, but of interactive elements that her social network, including herself, combines to create an impression of her.
The four mechanisms, or categories, that link her to her environment that we will use to analyze are, self-directed identity claims, other-directed identity claims, interior behavioral residue and exterior behavioral residue. The claims are things that she has posted herself about her, and as the name has suggested, are either directed at herself or own group of friends, or are clearly directed at other people. Behavioral residue is evidence of who she is within the space (interior) and outside of the space (exterior) with the space in this case being the facebook environment.
So, on with the analysis. Using the previously mention five factor model, the 5 factors of her personality that I will analyze are neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. These "big five personality traits" are explained Here.
First I'll look at identity claims. Some self-directed identity claims that are on her profile are things like her hometown in all capital letters, or a nickname for the group she went camping with over fall break. These are things that she posted to remind herself and her friends of who they are, and they show her extraversion (energy in the all caps of HONOLULU!!!) and agreeableness (compassion to the group that went camping with her). The other-directed identity claims that I'll pick out are things like it says she is in a relationship. It is a signal to others that says, "I'm taken", or even "He's mine". Others are her listing of where she works, and her education information, which are listed very formally as claims about her conscientiousness, or the some of the quotes like "we are going sane in a crazy world" hinting at some openness.
The other, easier to find connectors to her environments are the behavioral residue. The residue that is easiest to see is what is presented in her "mini news-feed" and the posts friends have put on her wall. The wall shows an example of her agreeableness in other environments with a post of someone saying, "thank you for hosting this weekend and introducing me to everyone!" or in her openness within the environment with the "spells cast" application where she has cast a "hovering charm" on her boyfriend, making him temporarily float.
Her profile seems to be primarily filled with behavioral residue, and most of that is external. It appears that most of her interaction with environments that are shown in her profile are environments outside of facebook. The impressions she gives using the self- and other-directed identity claims do not come out nearly as strong (to me at least) as does the behavioral residue. My analysis of her, primarily using external behavioral residue is that she is very agreeable and conscientious, which can be learned from the compliments and thanks she receives for things she has done. There are no signs of high neuroticism anywhere except one identity claim, which is hard to tell if it is self-directed or other-directed, but it says, "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger", which on seconds look, could be a more positive outlook and low neuroticism. It is a weaker claim.
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