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https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/519648| Title: | Language analysis of self-presentation and impression management on social media among Malaysian university students |
| Authors: | Husnita Habsah Yon (P64552) |
| Supervisor: | Tan Kim Hua, Assoc. Prof. Dr . |
| Keywords: | Social media -- Social aspects Social media -- Malaysia Freedom of expression -- Malaysia Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -- Dissertations |
| Issue Date: | 27-Feb-2019 |
| Description: | In this digital age, it is crucial that undergraduates manage their online self-presentation accordingly since it could be a reflection of their underlying psychological state, motives and thoughts. As interpretation of online self-presentation primarily relies on textual content, language plays an important role. However, there has been very little research on online self-presentation directed towards linguistic analysis in Malaysian context. Therefore, drawing on Goffman's (1959) impression management theory and Jones and Pittman's (1982) taxonomy of self-presentational strategies, this study aims to discover how Malaysian undergraduates present themselves on Facebook through linguistic means. The study specifically examines: (1) the distinctive linguistic patterns in the students' Facebook messages that provide insights into students' self-presentation, (2) the self-presentation strategies exhibited in Facebook messages, (3) the importance of language use in online written texts from the perspectives of students and employers, (4) the extent to which language use in social media serves as a marker to infer individuals' identity from the perspectives of employers. Language analysis in this study is divided into two parts: (a) analysis of 646 (21,596 words) Facebook messages using Linguistic Inquiry Word Count, and (b) content analysis of 167 messages using ATLAS.ti. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 undergraduates and 4 hiring officers were also analysed using ATLAS.ti. The LIWC text analysis has identified distinctive linguistic patterns that interpret the self-presentation and impression management acts manifested in the messages. The content analysis shows that positive self-presentation strategies are predominantly employed by the students to highlight desirable attributes and moral worthiness. Findings from the interviews demonstrate that the students' anxiety over online self-presentation is highly related to language use. Their language use and writing practices are influenced by their self-presentational goals. Additionally, employers assert that language use in social media can potentially be a screening tool in hiring process. This study highlights the importance of students focusing on language use in social media as it provides cues to their self-presentation and may affect their future employment. It may also impact language pedagogical practices which calls for educators to incorporate social media texts in teaching focusing on linguistic features that reflect self-presentation.,Ph.D. |
| Pages: | 436 |
| Call Number: | HM742.H837 2019 tesis |
| Publisher: | UKM, Bangi |
| Appears in Collections: | Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Fakulti Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan |
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