Social Networking and Long-Distance Relationship - Research Paper Example

SECTION i. Proposed of the study “The capa of the online social networking platform in establishing long-distance intimate relationship: The case of Facebook interaction” ii. Proposed research question Can online social network establish long-distance intimate relationship? Concerning this question, it is important to address the following specific questions: What is the amount of time spent by the proponents on Facebook? What is the intention of the proponents in joining on Facebook? How often the proponents use or send personal messages to converse on Facebook? What is the perception of the respondents of the level of intimacy or friendship they gain with others in using Facebook? What is the level of satisfaction that the proponents have on Facebook in the development of their intimate relationships with their partners or their virtual friends? iii. Research topic and its relation to the module materials The individuals are said to be formed through symbolically-based interaction with others making them social beings without question, as based on the point of view of symbolic interactionist theory of the individual and the self (Hollway, 2012, p.37). Thus, Howard Becker argued that individuals whose experiences are derived from social meanings are themselves shaped by language (Hollway, 2012, p.38). However, according to Carl Rogers, the influences of social life are distorting the singular, true or real self, but the humanistic psychology perspective promotes the idea that feelings must be the gold standard of personhood (Hollway, 2012, p.127). Some researchers suggest that emotions depend on the prevailing occurrences in the social world (Parkinson, 2012, p.157). In fact, couples who are in courtship and soon to marry are said to be already tied emotionally and affectionally with each other (Sclater, 2012, p.24). However, gender role may play a significant component in the development of this intimate relationship. Carol Gilligan argued that men used abstract principles in moral reasoning compared to women who used situated relationships, which is a contradiction to Lawrence Kohlberg’s idea (Hollway, 2012, p.41). It is in this reason that the stability of relationship is often measured or indicated by the existence of conflict (Sclater, 2012, p.20). Thus, close personal relationships are the basic foundation of the human existence (Sclater, 2012, p.15). For this reason, some theories argued that love is a relatively unique emotion (Sclater, 2012, p.18). The research topic clearly draws its fundamental point in the prevailing concepts of social interaction and the development of intimate relationships. However, it is of remarkable consideration to employ them in the field of virtual social networks. iv. Outline of three references Relationships and the social media have become common issues considered in social psychology at present. A study reveals that compared to men, women are more likely to consider the status “In a Relationship” on Facebook as a mark of exclusivity and seriousness (Fox and Warber, 2013, p.6). This perception has a significant impact on the role of online social network in building intimate relationship. Prior to generating this result, the proponents were able to conduct an online survey among 403 emerging adults having experiences with Facebook and romantic relationships. The study adheres to the perspective that the social networking sites have become integral media for communicating within and about interpersonal relationships. The study therefore adheres to the idea that the social networking sites are becoming common communication tools in the escalation of romantic relationships. However, the study highlighted women perceived the status “In a Relationship” to convey commitment and intensity of relationship. The study therefore particularly showcases the differences between male and female relationship as revealed through the media and its usage. Without question, relationships can be formed in virtual communities, even Internet affects intimacy or expands to another area called romantic relationships, but a case study revealed that there were people who experienced stressful and disorienting experiences on the social networking platform like Facebook (Sayar and Senkal, 2014, p.26). The research study argued that the virtual relationship is an ultimate outcome of internet technology at present. However, one major drawback of this is linked to personal outcomes in line with sociological and psychological issues. For this reason, the point of wanting to be known to others was explicitly introduced in the study as a relevant doorway to narcissistic pleasure seeking and emerging rootless self-esteem. The bottom line of the idea is to showcase the point that the social context in the virtual communities may trigger relevant stressful and disorienting experiences, because understanding of life in the virtual context based on the study’s argument may not be the same with the actual and original social setting. In addition, online social networks like Facebook was found to build and maintain interpersonal relationships, but the time spent on online social networks does not have direct relationship to intimacy and relationship satisfaction linking to romantic relationships (Hand et al., 2013, p.8). This was a remarkable finding of the study conducted among 253 undergraduate students at a medium-sized Southern University. With the use of packet of self-report measures with a demographics questionnaire and online usage survey asking the participants the amount of time they and their partners spend on online social networks, the data were generated and then analysed. The research study draws its general idea to the point based on the prevailing studies that excessive attachment to Facebook is associated with jealousy and dissatisfaction, because this may increase higher number of social friends but at some point may not also increase emotional closeness in face-to-face relationships. v. Relationship of the related literature and the proposed research study It is a remarkable point of consideration that the prevailing research studies in line with online social networking media and intimate relationships are intuitively dealing only with the searching of empirical evidences associated with online networking site and interpersonal relationships. The findings were remarkably clear and even becoming consistent with at least one empirical study. However, the point of these studies is solely to present the evidence that an online social networking platform may or may not have influential impact on interpersonal relationship. In line with this, based on the information from the gathered research studies there is a relevant gap obtained, because they did not employ the actual theories pertaining to social psychology especially in their theoretical frameworks. It is a remarkable consideration of the proposed study to substantially take into account the theoretical concepts introduced in the module material in order to either support or provide enhancement of the prevailing theories associated with relationship and gender roles in the context of virtual environment. This is to further test or find the flexibility of the theories especially if they are to be employed in a new context. In the case of the proposed study, these theories should be tested with the aid of the media, particularly the commonly used online social networking platform, Facebook. SECTION 2 i. The theoretical perspective The theoretical perspective that will be employed in the study is discursive psychological. This perspective is relevant to conversational data, primarily in the general context of performative use of language. Primarily, the discursive psychological treats discourse as constitutive of meanings, identities and social reality (Project Booklet, 2012, p.59). This is to say that this theoretical perspective strongly sees language more than a reflection of reality or a communication of ideas and experiences from one mind to another. The research study will primarily investigate the data or information coming from the respondents in an interview. The discursive psychological will truly make sense in this study because of the goal of finding the relevant information concerning the social context. The discursive psychological is primarily dealing with social settings, and it make sense that this theoretical perspective will be employed in the proposed study. In fact, the discursive psychological is emphasising the social like those concerning cultural or historical context and particularly the context of social interaction instead of treating solely the individual agent (Project Booklet, 2012, p.59). For this reason, knowing the fact that the proposed study will deal on the context of social interaction, one important theoretical perspective that is of great relevance and consideration is no other than discursive psychological as the primary choice. ii. Methodology An interview, a semi-structured one will be initiated through interviewing two separate participants. Interview is a remarkable method of gathering data suitable in the study because there is a consideration of qualitative interpretation of meanings. Interview is known to provide a qualitative interpretation of meanings (Project Booklet, 2012, p.23). As interviewing two separate participants will be initiated, a semi structured format of interview will be employed. This is to give the subjects more opportunity to respond to questions in their own way. After all, the bottom line intention of allowing this is to be able to study meanings and interpretations (Project Booklet, 2012, p.23). Considering that point that the proponent of this study will integrate theoretical concepts under a new existing context of the virtual world, to study meanings and interpretations must therefore be of great priority in order to achieve meaningful result. It is for this reason that a semi-structured interview will totally make sense, not just solely for the achievement of a qualitative data, but most importantly in ensuring that there will be sufficient ideas to consider in the study of meanings and interpretations of certain concepts that will be incurred after the interview with the respondents. iii. Discursive Psychological Analysis Interpretative repertoires Here where the researcher or proponent should provide a common knowledge, terms or concepts that the respondents are familiar with. These terms and concepts should be remarkable components of the prevailing culture so that the chosen subjects will be able to relate in the discourse or interview. This is also to further ensure that the respondents will be able to explain, describe and probably address an argument and provide their ideas, thoughts or knowledge on the subject matter. For example, asking the respondents the concept of intimacy, which is a common concept, will lead further to measuring the level of their intimacy that they might have perceived. Ideological dilemmas Common knowledge and culture have contradictions and so leading to the birth of ideological dilemmas. Ideological dilemmas may be in the form of contradictions and inconsistencies. So in the case of the study, the respondents may be presented with the thought that online social network is good for finding friends, but bad for establishing an intimate relationship because of its virtual nature. This thought may present a relevant contradiction to the pre-existing thought of the respondents as integral component of their common knowledge. Subject positions This talks about pre-existing social identities of an individual that at some point may also change over time. In the case of this study, the proponents will be introduced with concept concerning their present identity in the online social media, which might also be considered as culturally defined subject positions. iv. Brief discussion of relevant ethical considerations Consent of the respondents is essential prior to the implementation of the proposed study. It is important that they must be informed first and should be able to understand what the study is all about in order to ensure that they are taking the role of the respondents in the study and it will be because of their approval or legal consent. The entire idea about the study should be disclosed to them all. This will guarantee that prior to the actual gathering of data or interview, the respondents will already have the essential background and on what to expect in the study. It is also of priority concern that respondents will be at ease in the entire interview. Concerning this, the respondents must be able to take down all the lists of things that the respondents expect in the study. This is to make sure that both the proponents and respondents will meet half-way and each of them will benefit in the study in the end. It is important also to guarantee that the respondents will be protected with confidentiality in the event of probable disclosure of sensitive subjects and those things that may be too personal at some point. References Fox, J., Warber, K. M. (2013) ‘Romantic Relationship Development in the Age of Facebook: An Exploratory Study of Emerging Adults’ Perceptions, Motives and Behaviors’. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking 16(1), 3-7. Hand, M. M., Thomas, D., Buboltz, W. C., Deemer, E. D., and Buyanjargal, M. (2013) ‘Facebook and Romantic Relationships: Intimacy and Couple Satisfaction Associated with Online Social Network Use’. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking 16(1), 8-13. Hollway, W. (2012). Social psychology: past and present. In: Hollway, W., Lucey, H., Phoenix, A., and Lewis, G. Social Psychology Matters. 2nd ed. Milton Keynes: The Open University, 28-54. Hollway, W. (2012). Self. In: Hollway, W., Lucey, H., Phoenix, A., and Lewis, G. Social Psychology Matters. 2nd ed. Milton Keynes: The Open University, 119-144. Parkinson, B. (2012). Emotion. In: Hollway, W., Lucey, H., Phoenix, A., and Lewis, G. Social Psychology Matters. 2nd ed. Milton Keynes: The Open University, 145-170. Sayar, K., and Senkal, Z. (2014) ‘Facebook Loves: Depression, Psychosis and Online Romance, Report of Three Cases’. Journal of Mood Disorders 4(1), 26-33. Sclater, S. D. (2012). Close relationships. In: Langdridge, D., Taylor, S., and Mahendran, K., ed. Critical Readings in Social Psychology. 2nd ed. Milton Keynes: The Open University, 15-44. Ethical Approval Form This form needs to be completed by you and signed by your tutor before you carry out your project. Read the Project Booklet before completing this form. Please ensure that you send this form when you submit TMA 03. Approval from your tutor must be obtained before you collect any data. Please feel free to expand the boxes below. The word counts within this form are there to indicate appropriate length only, and are NOT part of the formal word count for TMA03. Name: Student PI no: Title of project: The capacity of the online social networking platform in establishing long-distance intimate relationship: The case of Facebook interaction Participant recruitment: Please indicate who will take part and how your participant(s) will be recruited. (See the Project Booklet sections 3 and 5 concerning participants.) Participants will be undergraduate students from a University. They will be informed concerning the nature of the study and what the study will require to obtain from them prior to be chosen as participants. It is important that their consent will be given and that it is by their free will that they will participate or include themselves as the potential subjects of the study. Prior to being chosen as subjects, the participants will also be determined if they have Facebook accounts and have either a long-distance relationship with someone or close friendship online. It is also important to assure the participants that all their information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and they have the freedom to back out from the study and retrieve the information they might have probably given in the event that they would decide not continue. Outline summary (250 words max): State clearly and briefly what you propose to do and how you will do it. You should also include an anticipated timetable for the steps in your research project. (See the Project Booklet section 2.) Prior to the formulation of the topic to pursue, the proponent will choose a particular topic in mind that is of great interest and timely. After this, a social psychology topic about relationship and the media will be chosen. Discursive psychological theoretical approach will be chosen. After this, a workable research question will be formulated. Literature searching will then follow and a maximum of one-week span of time will be given for this. A method of data collection will then be initiated. After this, there will b)e an evaluation of the choices of theoretical approach and data collection to find out if they will fit with the research question. Below will be the timetable for the steps in the research project. Step 1. Choosing a topic – one day (max) Step 2. Choosing psychology topic – one day (max) Step 3. Choosing theoretical approach – one day (max) Step 4. Formulating research question – one day (max) Step 5. Literature searching – 7 days (max) Step 6. Choosing method of data collection – one day (max) Step 7. Evaluation – one day (max) Methods of data collection and analysis Tick one option from the choice of data collection methods and one option from the methods of data analysis. Data collection Data analysis Interview x Discursive psychological x Group discussion Phenomenological Social psychoanalytic Brief outline of ethical considerations Please read the abridged BPS ethical principles for conducting research with human participants in the Project Booklet – list of key issues provided below for information Participant safety Possible need for additional emotional support Confidentiality and anonymity Informed consent Debriefing participants Researcher safety Storage of participant information and data Right to withdraw from study Disposal of participant information and data Information about complaint procedures In no more than 200 words provide a discussion of ethical considerations that may impact on your study Confidentiality and anonymity are crucial considerations in the study. This is due to the fact that some information might be considered a sensitive issue on the part of the respondents. Furthermore, it is also important to include debriefing participants in order to obtain important knowledge from their part. Informed consent is also necessary, as this will guarantee that the participants will have clear idea what the study is all about or for what purpose that it is instituted. In addition, it is also important that the participants will be informed that they have the right to withdraw from study or the information will be returned to them if necessary. For this matter, it is remarkable that the information about complaint procedures should be discussed to them clearly. I have read the abridged BPS ethical principles for conducting research with human participants and confirm that to the best of my knowledge my work adheres to these principles. Student signature…………………………………… Tutor use only: Proposal approved Resubmit Resubmit Low risk Medium risk Unacceptable Tutor’s comments/suggested changes Tutor signature …………………………………….. DD307 PARTICIPANT CONSENT FORM This form MUST be signed before the participant takes part in the study. If the participant has any concerns about the project they can contact the DD307 Curriculum Manager (lou.rayment@open.ac.uk) Student researcher’s name……………………………………………. Summary of study: The title of the study will be “The capacity of the online social networking platform in establishing long-distance intimate relationship: The case of Facebook interaction”. This generally highlights if online social network can establish long-distance intimate relationship. Data collection will be interview and data analysis will be discursive psychological. Two undergraduate students from a University will be chosen for the study. They will be informed concerning the nature of the study and what the study will require to obtain from them prior to be chosen as participants. It is important that their consent will be given and that it is by their free will that they will participate or include themselves as the potential subjects of the study. Prior to being chosen as subjects, the participants will also be determined if they have Facebook accounts and have either a long-distance relationship with someone or close friendship online. It is also important to assure the participants that all their information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and they have the freedom to back out from the study and retrieve the information they might have probably given in the event that they would decide not continue. The student researcher named above has briefed me to my satisfaction on the research for which I have volunteered. I understand what is required of me when I consent to participate in this project. I understand that I have the right to withdraw from the research at any point and to have the data returned to me if requested. I understand that my rights to anonymity and confidentiality will be respected. I consent to participate in this study. Signature_________________Name (Block capitals)_________________ Date ___________________ Read More