Identity Crisis- Anonymous vs Nonymous

Research into self-presentation online has in recent years focused around anonymous vs nonymous online environments and the way in which this impacts self-presentation and identity constructions. (Primarily) Being a digital media student this whole area really interests me and I find the way in which we interact in these two different environments to be quite interesting.

In a study by Zao, Grasmuck and Martin they found that:

“People acted differently in such environments (anonymous) than they did in other online settings (nonymous)” (2008)

Why would this be so? Think about it… How do you construct your identity on Facebook? Would this differ to an anonymous environment such as Chat Rooms, Online Forums or Online Games such as MMOG’s (Massively Multiplayer Online Games etc). Would you find yourself to be more likely to express your opinion, give feedback or engage in other activities that in a nonymous environment would be unlikely to do? It’s an interesting concept and really empathises the impact that anonymous and nonymous environments have on an individual.

One particular form of anonymous online communication ‘Chatroulette’ which rose to fame in 2010 allows users to video chat with random strangers whilst remaining anonymous 100%.. Right? WRONG! Recently a developer has launched a new website ‘Chatroulette Map’ in which utilises your broadcast location and IP address and exploits your location on a Google Map. Laters anonomity! Quite frankly I think I would prefer them to know my name rather than location coordinates.. At least there’s a chance of there being more than one Elise Boonstra in the world!

I will leave you with a question, followed by one of my favourite youtube sensations Steve Kardynal who rose to fame off Chatroulette (Yes his identity is now out there for everyone to know!), its slightly off topic but too good to leave out!

What do you think about anonymous vs nonymous online environments? Do you feel your identity and behaviours differ from one to the other?

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe (Chatroulette Draco Edit) from DJ Draco on Vimeo.

References:

Zuras, M. 2010, “A Cat Mask Won't Save You: Chatroulette Map Exposes Your Location” Switched, March 11, accessed 22/09/2012,  http://www.switched.com/2010/03/11/a-cat-mask-wont-save-you-chatroulette-map-exposes-your-locatio/

Zhao S, Grasmuck S & Martin, J. 2008, ‘Identity construction on Facebook: Digital empowerment in anchored relationships’, Computers in Human Behavior, vol 24, issue 5, pp 1816-1836, accessed 22/09/2012, SciVerse Database.

Invisible Rules that Govern our Actions??

In everyday life we are guided by a set of ‘social norms’ which establish the idea of social standards on how we should engage and behave in social interactions. These unwritten rules guide and influence our actions on a day to day basis. This week Wieder’s reading Telling the code, closely examined the ‘convict code’ and how it is utilised in half-way houses to rationalise behaviour and activities in the half way house. Wieder discovered that individuals that were in breach of the code were met with negative sanctions which varied dependant on the severity of breach of the code and breaches could result in abuse and violence.

Like in Wieder’s examination of the ‘convict code’ everyday individuals such as you and I are exposed to a similar code on a day to day basis are which ‘stipulates’ the right and wrong actions of everyday life situations, which again can also result in consequences- (no not that of those that are prevalent in the halfway houses!). Social norms can vary depending on geographic location, socio-economic status and up-bringing to name a few.

When I think of social norms I also feel that they depend on who I am in the presence of…. At work I have a professional expectation of myself and my fellow employees, if I meet someone new, I am expected to introduce myself with a polite handshake. If I met someone new out with my friends I would be a ‘total loser’ if I was to shake their hand (and as my consequence-perhaps then avoided by my friends who don’t want to lose their ‘cool’ façade). While yes its polite, the social norms that are present vary and depending on the situations we face in life.

Sunstein, CR 2006, “Social Norms and Social Roles”, Columbia Law Review, vol 96, no 4, pp 903-968, accessed 14/09/2012, JSTOR Database.

You understand what I mean... Right?

I love reading other peoples blogs. Not only do they provide a more simplified overview of the weeks topic they (in some cases) refer to everyday situations which I can relate to and reminisce on. One particular blog that caught my eye this week was that of Nicole Michielin’s blog post “The Morality of Cognition”. (I also commented on her blog- See link)

‘The focus of this weeks’ reading surrounded Garfinkel and the “morality of cognition”, whereby amidst conversation there are unspoken mutual understandings referring to what we actually mean as opposed to saying directly what we mean- which I experience on a day to day basis. What I liked about Nicole’s blog was that it provided an overview of the weekly reading topic in a way in which I’m sure many of us can relate to - a conversation between Mother and Daughter whereby Nicole outlines the underlying meaning of the conversation as well as the spoken dialogue.

Nicole gives reasoning for the unspoken understandings between her mother and herself noting that due to their relationship “they don’t have to explicitly state the meaning behind every statements because they ‘just know’ what the other person means.” Like Nicole I also have these conversations with my family members and friends whereby we don’t need to directly state our intent, however they are conveyed through these mutual understandings as outlined and examined by Garfinkel. 

I also feel that this is conveyed not only through conversation but also through facial expressions- I often find myself raising my eyebrows whilst pulling a particular face at my mum with her understanding to be "Shut up- Dont talk about that", exampling the use of this mutual understanding through facial expressions.

Is there anyone who you have this underlying mutual understanding in conversations with? Why do you feel that they understand you in this manner in order to understand the underlying meaning of your conversation?