Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Date of Award
January 2015
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Matthew Seeger
Abstract
ABSTRACT
PERCEPTIONS OF SOCIAL BONDS, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL CAPITAL BY SOCIAL NETWORK SITE USERS
by
ALISHA M. BECKROW
May 2015
Advisor: Dr. Matthew W. Seeger
Major: Communications
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
In this study we investigated the perceptions of social bonds, social engagement and social capital by users of the social network site Facebook. A survey questionnaire was distributed to three similar young professional organizations in the Midwest United States. The participants were asked about their use of Facebook as members of the organization. The results indicated that social network sites can be used to compliment other forms of user interactions, such as face-to-face, and can be a mechanism for building social bonds, social engagement, and social capital. The sites are utilized at varying degrees by members and the strength of the social bonds, social engagement, and social capital differed based on the demographic make-up of the group members with the more demographically similar groups reporting stronger bonds, engagement, and capital. Future research can expand this area of study by focusing on other social media sites and groups who utilize these sites.
Recommended Citation
Beckrow, Alisha, "Perceptions Of Social Bonds, Social Engagement And Social Capital By Social Network Site Users" (2015). Wayne State University Dissertations. 1118.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/1118