Facebook is a social networking site. I decided to have my friend analyze their Facebook profile, and to identify any false statements that he may make in his profile. I had never actually taken the time to fully read this person's Facebook profile, so I was very interested to learn about the truths and lies in his profile.
Social distance theory directly relates to Facebook profiles and the ease people tend to have in being deceptive in their profiles. Facebook provides users with the opportunity to create false impressions, both about their physical appearance and personal traits, hobbies, background, etc.
My friend's profile was mostly true; he identified only two items that he lists under hobbies that are no longer true, but were accurate at one point in time in the past. Other than these two items, everything else he mentions in his Information and Education sections are true.
His real-life personality indicates that he would not lie in his Facebook profile. His pictures were true to his appearance. In addition, he is tagged in many photos. Photo tagging in Facebook can, potentially, lessen someone's ability to lie about their appearance; however, we can choose to un-tag ourselves if we don't like the way we look in any photos.
His photos portray a very easygoing, happy individual who enjoys hanging out with friends. For the three years I have known my friend, I have personally witnessed these characteristics and believe that his Facebook pictures accurately portray elements of his personality.
The online impression I get of my friend based on his Facebook profile resembles the impressions I have of him after face-to-face interactions. However, after examining my friend's Facebook profile in more detail, it was evident that social distance theory did play a small part in my friend's profile design. Even after he pointed out that two items were incorrect in his profile, he did not go back and remove the items. Here, social distance theory presents the idea that my friend sees no urgent need to update his profile because it is in an online profile; he would not lie about his hobbies if he were introducing himself to someone face-to-face.
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Emily -
I definitely agree with your connection to Social Distance Theory. One thing I found confusing that might be of interest to you is how social distance can be different in different psychological spaces based on how they are utilized. For example, I wouldn't consider Facebook a socially distant environment since all of my friends on Facebook know enough about me to detect a lie if i were to post one on my profile. However, if someone uses Facebook as a way to potentially meet new people, it can definitely be considered a socially distant environment in which people would be inclined to lie more frequently. Your blog definitely sparked my curiosity and stimulated my interest in Social Distance Theory. Great Interpretation :)
- Sherrie
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