B.

THE DIGITAL SELF

IDENTITY ONLINE

An online identity can be anything from a social media profile or a forum account to a
video game character or even a shopping cart. Basically, it can either be a social
identity associated with an online community, or just a simple account or data that’s
associated with online services.

If you’re looking for a more accurate and specific definition of what an online identity is,
then here’s one: Any bit of information (no matter how small) that can be found about an
individual on the Internet.

That means that an Internet identity can even be comprised of things like:

 Login credentials

 Online transactions

 Online search activities

 Medical history

 Date of birth

 Browsing history

Source: https://www.cactusvpn.com/beginners-guide-to-online-privacy/online-identity/

SELECTIVE SELF – IMPRESSION ONLINE

The hyperpersonal model of computer-mediated communication (CMC) posits that

users exploit the technological aspects of CMC in order to enhance the messages they
construct to manage impressions and facilitate desired relationships. This research
examined how CMC users managed message composing time, editing behaviors,
personal language, sentence complexity, and relational tone in their initial messages to
different presumed targets, and the cognitive awareness related to these processes.
Effects on several of these processes and outcomes were obtained in response to
different targets, partially supporting the hyperpersonal perspective of CMC, with
unanticipated gender and status interaction effects suggesting behavioral compensation
through CMC, or overcompensation when addressing presumably undesirable partners.

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222652602_Selective_Self-
presentation_in_Computer-
mediated_Communication_Hyperpersonal_Dimensions_of_Technology_Language_and
_Cognition

IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT ONLINE

Impression Management

Individuals spend most of their lives interacting with others. These interactions shape
people's views of themselves, which are then reflected in the ways they present
themselves during interactions. Symbolic interactionism captures the ongoing
processes between one's self, one's social interactions, and their links to developing
meaning. The reciprocal relationship between interactions and self‐identity is difficult to
determine.

Individuals engage in various self‐presentation tactics to present themselves in

favorable ways. Researchers concerned with self‐presentation have provided ample
support for the existence and use of various self‐presentation tactics. Self‐presentation
tactics are defined as “behaviors used to manage impressions to achieve foreseeable
short‐term interpersonal objectives or goals”. Individuals do not only seek to manage
their impression face‐to‐face, but also in computer‐mediated environments.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2011.01560.x

BOUNDARIES OF SELF ONLINE

Boundaries of Self and Reality Online examines the idea that technological advances
associated with the Internet are moving us in multiple domains toward various "edges."
These edges range from self, to society, to relationships, and even to the very nature of
reality. Boundaries are dissolving and we are redefining the elements of identity. The
book begins with explorations of the digitally constructed self and the relationship
between the individual and technological reality. Then, the focus shifts to society at
large and includes a contribution from Chinese researchers about the isolated Chinese
Internet. The later chapters of the book explore digital reality at large, including
discussions on virtual reality, Web consciousness, and digital physics.

Source: https://www.elsevier.com/books/boundaries-of-self-and-reality-
online/gackenbach/978-0-12-804157-4

PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE SELF ONLINE

Private self is the information regarding to a person which he/she has difficulties to
express publicly. Public self is the perspective other people view an individual as
portrayed in public information, interaction with others and public action. Generally,
public self relies on the public for definition but it’s also the individual’s perspective of
the way he/she appears and steps taken when in public. Mostly, public self and private
self is revealed in speaking and actions. Private and public speaking is generally feared
almost by everybody. Some people will avoid public speaking at all costs. Sometimes,
the avoidance may lead to missing a great chance to make an impression which is good
and/ or long-lasting, opportunity to sell their product or themselves. Development of
authentic speaking has made it easy for the improvement of the way people come
across, and reduction of the people’s feeling of fear before and during their
presentation. Authentic speaking defers from other approaches since it doesn’t
inculcate any other methodology or technique to the individual and the learning involves
experience. Authentic speaking gets the individual to meditate on what he or she is
thinking before speaking. Once the speaker opens their mouth to speak, he/she should
be relaxed, comfortable and in a good mental state. Therefore, thorough preparation
and mental awareness of the speaker’s own talk is paramount. In order for the individual
to feel better and prepared for the task ahead, he/she should acknowledge the “script”
and then rewrite it. This is due to the fact that the task (talk) has a profound impact on
how the individual will feel. Physical posture is also necessary in creating confidence in
a presenter. The presenter may adopt an upright and proud posture, but not trying to
hide from the audience.
Source: https://www.ukessays.com/essays/psychology/private-public-self-comparison-
8946.php

PERSONAL VS. PUBLIC SELF VS. SOCIAL IDENTITY ONLINE

PERSONAL IDENTITY- Self-identity, or self-concept, is one's concept of oneself,

including the perceptions one has about one's abilities, flaws, status, and
worth. Sociologists study how self-identity develops, especially in relation to social
factors.

PUBLIC SELF- The public self is the view of oneself by others as conveyed
through publicinformation, public action and interaction with others. The public
self generally depends on the public for definition, but is also an individual's view of how
he or she fits in and actions taken while in public.

SOCIAL IDENTITY ONLINE- Internet identity (IID), also online

identity or internet persona, is a social identitythat an Internet user establishes
in online communities and websites. It can also be considered as an actively
constructed presentation of oneself. ... Avatars are one way users express their online
identity.

GENDER AND SEXUALITY ONLINE

Internet is a contested medium, the notion of gender and its sociobiological

ramifications especially regarding sexuality are equally contested. Such a sociocultural
and everyday-life account of the internet offers a good insight into the complex and
often contradictory role the Internet plays in gender-directed discourses and practices,
although it does not touch the pragmatic picture of gender discourses and messages
dominating cyberspace. Especially in relation to gender sexuality, it does not account
for the particular way in which people express their sexuality online and in a different or
similar way to the way they do using other media platforms.

Source:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235758747_Gender_and_Sexuality_in
_the_Internet_Era