75 research outputs found
Linguistic expression and perception of personality in online dating texts and their effect on attraction
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.Online daters report difficulties, frustration and anxiety in conveying their desired impression of themselves and from their lack of ability in perceiving another daterâs personality accurately. There is a lack of research on how expression of personality traits in profiles impacts on perception and on assessments of attractiveness. This thesis aims to fill this gap by exploring the expression and perception of personality traits in online dating profile texts, and to examine
whether textually expressed personality affects attractiveness.
The first two studies employed a linguistic and content analysis approach to determine how personality was expressed in dating profiles across different dating platforms and a comparison creative story text. There was considerable variation in
expression indicating that language may not be a reliable indicator of personality.
A lens model approach, using Funderâs Realistic Accuracy Model, was taken in the third study where accuracy of personality perception was examined in two contexts to determine whether dating profiles provided more salient trait-related cues to personality. The linguistic and content cues utilised by judges in making personality assessments were investigated. While some accuracy of perception was possible for emotional stability in online dating profiles, it was context dependent and unreliable, and few cues were utilised accurately.
The effects of actual and perceived personality, and similarity of personality, on attractiveness were investigated and had not been examined previously in this context. This research shows that actual traits and similarity only affect attraction
when it is perceivable, whereas perceived traits and similarity can affect attraction without accurate perception.
This thesis illustrates the complexity of accuracy of interpersonal perception in text, and how context drives a considerable amount of the variation in achievement of accuracy. Additionally, the results offer some practical implications for online daters
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Social presence in online multimodal communication: A framework to analyse online interactions between language learners
New technologies permeate every aspect of life, not least human communication. Collaboration and social interaction have become buzz words in online communication and education mediated by Web 2.0 technologies and inspired by socio-constructivist theories of learning. Social presence theory explores this mediation through which individuals project themselves socially and emotionally into the community (Rourke, Anderson, Garrison, & Archer, 1999). Understanding the experience of social presence is crucial for its strategic use in online learning, while the pivotal role of communication makes social presence an indispensable component of language teaching. Although social presence theory has evolved from a media richness view as a quality of the media (Short, Williams, & Christie, 1976) to a relational view as a quality of relational aspects of communication (Kehrwald, 2008), the multimodal nature of new technologies has not previously been explored. Social presence research has also largely ignored the role of language (verbal or nonverbal, native or foreign) on the mediation process.
This exploratory case study investigates social presence in dyadic online foreign language interaction via desktop videoconferencing (DVC) between trainee language teachers. Multiple data sources (DVC recordings, interviews, questionnaires) are qualitatively analysed, drawing on principles of thematic analysis, interactional linguistics and social semiotics. The findings highlight the need for workable methods, tools and theories to research and analyse multimodal online communication. Social presence theory is revised to accommodate multi modal foreign-language interactions, and to incorporate potential differences between the ways individuals intend to project themselves and the ways this projection might be perceived by others in the community. An original approach to analysing and classifying language-learner interactions is demonstrated. Pedagogical implications stress the skills required to support rewarding educational experiences for both learners and teachers. Despite the specific features of the case study; the findings--can be extrapolated to virtually all areas of online communication
Evaluating the role of media in fostering political engagement among young people in the UK: a comparative analysis of social and legacy media coverage of political events and contribution to feelings of political empowerment
The following thesis examines the impact of social and legacy media on young peopleâs political engagement as well as on their attitudes to, feelings towards and beliefs about politics. This was accomplished using a three-tiered design which integrated both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The aim of this design was to ensure that young people were afforded a voice in the ongoing debate around youth apathy.
To this end, a direct comparison of social and legacy media coverage of various case studies was undertaken. This initial comparison was accompanied by a series of interviews using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers & Larkin, 2009). The interviews focused on individual engagement with politics and social and legacy media, in order to get a sense of each individuals understanding of their role in British politics as well as the feelings and attitudes towards media and politics more widely.
The three-tiered design concluded with a quantitative questionnaire assessing governmental trust, political efficacy, self-efficacy, and self-esteem by way of a series of standardised measures. From this mixed-methods approach, two main findings arise. Firstly, that social media such as Twitter hold the potential to facilitate political engagement in young people, beyond what is currently achieved by the British legacy media. The second finding suggests that there has been fundamental paradigmatic shift of youth conceptions of politics from what could be considered traditional political behaviours (such as voting and party membership; StrĂžmsnes, 2009) to lifestyle orientated choices (such as boy/buycotts; Copeland, 2014; Gil de ZĂșñiga, Copeland & Bimber, 2014), mediated by social media. Overall the results of the thesis foster a dualistic understanding of British young people who are simultaneously engaged with and apathetic toward âpoliticsâ dependant on how the term is defined
Review of existing Australian and international cyber-safety research
Information and communication technologies have permeated almost all areas of society and become an important component of daily functioning for most Australians. This is particularly true for Internet and mobile phone technology. The majority of Australian households (67% in 2007 â 2008) have access to the Internet and over 11 million Australians use the Internet as an integral part of their personal, social and occupational activities. By mid-2008, there were over 22 million active mobile phones being used in Australia, which equates to more than one phone for every citizen. There are many benefits associated with Internet and mobile phone use; however, there are also risks, particularly with the Internet. In fact, there is almost daily media discussion of these risks and dangers. However, to ensure that the information contained in this review was as accurate as possible, we primarily sourced quality research literature published in scientific journals both in Australia and overseas. In addition, quality material not published in scientific journals was consulted and included where appropriate, thus ensuring that this review was based on reliable research studies containing the most current and accurate research evidence available. From the outset, it is important to note that there are several methodological and ethical issues in relation associated with the measurement and examination of many cyber-safety risks. The nature of this type of research makes it very difficult to address certain risk areas, in particular those that relate to children (e.g., online grooming)
Seriously Social: Making Connections in the Information Age
This thesis is about digital social networks and associated media in the lives of young primarily middle class, people, it based on a qualitative study - using interviews, focus groups and participant observation - of university undergraduates in the United Kingdom and Australia. The study traces how, between 2005 and 2008, these students utilise what I term, 'social media' to manage ?e their social lives. My analysis of the data draws attention to the participatory nature of the technology, and characterises how such resources have become 'everyday' and are seen as essential hubs of information
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âNerdsâ, âSpace-Cadetsâ and those âa bit on the odd sideâ: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of adolescents with a diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
Introduction: Adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are known to be at increased risk of psychosocial problems. There has been limited qualitative research into the impact of DCD from an adolescent perspective.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of participants with DCD as they negotiate adolescence.
Method: Eleven participants between the age of 11-18 (8F:3M) with a diagnosis of DCD were recruited through the Dyspraxia Foundation UK. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, audio-recorded and transcribed. The data was analysed by means of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
Findings: Three main themes emerged from the data: âSense of Othernessâ âComplexity of Responseâ âRecognising and Coping with Limitationsâ. Most participants related a sense of âothernessâ and had previously experienced social and/or emotional difficulties. However, adolescence emerged as a time where self-concept could be re-assessed, often positively. Feelings regarding DCD were expressed as complex - including relief at diagnosis, shame at limitations, general ambivalence and a need for acceptance and support. Participants felt their difficulties were often unrecognised and misunderstood in comparison to other developmental disorders. Limitations were described regarding coordination, executive functions (EF) and emotional response. Participants employed a diverse range of coping strategies to function academically and socially.
Conclusion: This work has implications for professionals and policymakers regarding the continued lack of recognition and understanding perceived by young people with DCD. It highlights that many participants struggle with EF and emotional regulation, as well as coordination, but feel that this struggle is mostly unseen. Support, when offered, can often be inconsistent. The re-framing of âdifferenceâ as âindividualityâ during mid to late adolescence, indicates an alternative pathway regarding self-concept that is potentially inclusive of DCD. As adults with DCD continue to report lower self-esteem, poorer mental health outcomes and reduced participation, this research indicates that adolescence may present a window of opportunity for interventions to improve resilience and self-esteem in this population. Ongoing active collaboration between adolescents and researchers is essential
A Woman Among Men the Language of Madness and Power on TV â The Case of Carrie Mathison in Homeland
This study analyzes the language used in the TV series Homeland that represents a predominantly male working environment, the world of intelligence, when a key female empowered protagonist, Carrie Mathison, becomes disempowered due to her mental illness, bipolarity. After conducting an initial pilot study consisting of one episode from each of the seven seasons, we decided to focus on the ideolect and slang of intelligence circles, deixis and pronominal reference, irony, variations in register, patterns of repetition and doublespeak for this purpose. This paper concludes with a discussion of how each of these analytical tools work toward either strengthening Carrie Mathisonâs power or indicating her disempowerment in relation to her social context and working environment
Community college faculty members\u27 perceptions of professional development for online instruction: a qualitative study
The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate community college faculty members\u27 perceptions of the professional development they have received for the implementation and teaching of online courses. The current body of literature is focused mainly on colleges and universities, and the researcher uncovered a gap in the literature, which often bypassed community colleges. I employed the research method of semi-structured interviews with 14 community college faculty members of varied backgrounds and experiences who shared their perceptions and experiences of the professional development they received to teach online. The main themes uncovered by this dissertation study were 1) Inconsistency in the professional development allotted to community college faculty members, 2) Perceived barriers by community college faculty members in preparing to teach online/hybrid courses, 3) Incentives for participating in professional development to teach online, 4) Online teaching requires a need for pedagogical knowledge and understanding, and 5) Faculty members require more support to teach online/hybrid courses. Study findings indicate faculty members require more training beyond technological mastery at the post-secondary level, and may benefit from training that involves a focus on pedagogy
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