Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Heather Crandall

Second Advisor

Dr. John Caputo

Abstract

A recent report on the impact of social media on children, adolescents and families cautioned that parents should now be concerned about Facebook Depression. This alleged new condition has been gaining popularity in social commentary regarding the effects of social networking websites, such as Facebook.com. Thus, it is critical that the potential effects of this social networking site be studied to counteract under-researched claims. This thesis focused on how the observable community construct created by Facebook may or may not have an effect on the user’s sense of community. Specifically, this paper used Walther’s Social Information Processing theory to explain how computer mediated communication, such as using Facebook.com, is just as effective at creating and maintains relationships as face-to-face communication. This thesis used quota sampling via electronic survey to collect quantifiable data on participants’ self-reported Facebook use and sense of community. The data showed a positive correlation between participant’s Facebook.com use and their sense of community. These findings are useful in that they add further legitimacy to current, yet relatively recent, research on effects of Facebook.com use.

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