The mode of use in social media communication

Abstract

The course of gaining a more in-depth understanding of the environment that surrounds us has changed throughout the years. Beginning with diverse studies of the physical world and slowly transferring towards not only the biological but also the social settings in which we function on a daily basis.In addition to the physical, biological, and societal settings, one major environment that has risenmore recently is called the symbolic environment(Gross, 1981).Gross (1981) defines this symbolic element as an entity consisting of some symbolic means, media, encryptions, and constructions that individuals use to interact with one another and eventually, on which cultures are built upon. Without undermining the importance in other fields of study, it is essential to acknowledge the significance of the symbolic environment. This study focused on the use of modes in a group-conversation between individuals with different cultural backgrounds. One of the focal points was also in discovering whether or not individual’s cultural features could be apparent in the mode-use. The modes concentrated on in the study included image-, audio-, and video- attachments. An important factor that was revealed during the analysis, but not considered prior to the study, was the emergence of an additional use of mode – links. Initially, links were not part of the study,but as they were used by the participants, they were included as a fourth mode.Other key findings from the study were in relation to the understood reasons for individuals’ use of modes. Modes were attached in relation toinformation sharing, humor use, conversation initiations and continuations, and alsowhen clarifying the mode by combining text with it. Modes were used the mostto initiate humor, second highest to share information, and lastly to obtain information. Regarding cultural characteristics according to cultural theory, no significant similarities could be noticed between mode-use and person’s cultural background.