“minblogg.nu” – en kvalitativ studie om bloggande utifrån ett individperspektiv

Abstract

Abstract: This study is focused on blogging from the perspective of the individual. We investigate why one uses the weblog format, functions on the blog that are seen to work as driving forces, attitudes towards self-disclosure and anonymity on the weblog and how the relation between an online- and offline-identity is interpreted by the bloggers themselves, for example to what extent it is possible to get to know the blogger by reading the weblog. Finally, we investigate the weblog-readers meaning to the blogger, as well as their possible impact on both his or her personal blog-content and the everyday-life. The empirical material consists of half-structured interviews via MSN Messenger with nine informants, being bloggers found on the Swedish website bloggportalen.se. The theoretical framework behind the interview guide focuses on the identity concept, containing identity theories in psychological and sociological perspectives, symbolic interactionism concerning the concept of roles, as well as Bauman’s liquid theory on postmodern society tendencies. This material is further included in related previous research articles, derived from both international and Swedish databases. The analysis was as a final point approached with this theoretical background. The results of the study show that the weblog has different functions in mediating personal everyday-experiences, amusement, therapy and archiving information, which also are to be seen as motivating continuity on the weblog. The bloggers relation to self-disclosure is central to what he or her can imagine to publish about themselves. By greater selfdisclosure one tends to relate to a subjective view – what I like to publish – whereas informants with less self-disclosure relates to an objective view – what others would dislike me to publish. Concerning thoughts of anonymity, the informants show an excitement in imagine stepping out of the limitations of self-representation, or ones social role. Anticipating anonymity is hereby defined as the wish to share a specific subject, without taking the risk of social sanctions. When it comes to the question about if one can get to know the “real” blogger by reading his or her weblog, informants with less self-disclosure show a greater hesitation. The informants show further concerning their weblog-readers both positive and negative aspects. The former are the encouragement in readers’ different comments and opinions of the blog-content, as the latter rather is the pressure of having to maintain the readers’ enthusiasm. Consequences were at last mostly thoughts of the possibility of being biased and put in a negative light – as the readers might miss important nuances – leading to future difficulties being hired, or at worst – being stalked.