First Advisor

Erin Spottswood

Date of Award

5-23-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication Studies and University Honors

Department

Communication

Subjects

Instagram (Electronic resource), Online identities, Self, Identity (Philosophical concept), Appearance (Philosophy), Online social networks -- Social aspects

DOI

10.15760/honors.764

Abstract

A person's ability to curate, communicate, and perceive their identity through the exploration and sharing of selfhood has never been easier thanks to social media applications that promote user-generated content and encourage self-promotion through computer-mediated communication within a social network. This paper analyzes the role Instagram has in the construction of identity by reviewing existing literature on identity theories, with a focus on communication theory of identity, as well as the methodologies behind representing self to see how they apply to the features and frameworks of Instagram. Based on the review it is argued that social media applications such as Instagram have a large role in the construction of identity and the potential benefits of this for diverse and marginalized identities are explored.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/29019

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