"We're communicators by nature, and things like Instagram offer us a new language to speak with" say Daryl Peveto and Matt Slaby from Luceo Image Agency in a recent interview about the shifts in the paradigms of photographic and online communication (Laurent, 2012). Considering the increasing volume of communication via online channels, their words may be interpreted as not surprising at all. However, the universe of social media platforms shows a great diversity in terms of the distinct offerings for different motivational needs of the users. Inspiring from this variance, this paper will first highlight the distinct features of Instagram. Secondly, the paper will attempt to assert Instagram into an alternative and empirically supported framework of social media goals by Hoffman and Novak (2012) in order to differentiate its utility from other platforms. Thirdly the paper will critically compare and contrast Instagram and other well-known social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Xing, Google+) on the basis of variety of theories like social interaction, self-understanding and self-expression. A subsequent conclusion will then be formulated with respect to the whole analysis.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Scanning Instagram
- Placing Instagram into a Framework
- Comparative Analysis of Instagram on Theoretical Basis
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the communication and interaction dynamics of Instagram through a psychological science lens. It explores the platform's unique features and its place within a framework of social media goals. The paper further compares and contrasts Instagram with other social media platforms, drawing on theories of social interaction, self-understanding, and self-expression.
- Distinct features of Instagram
- Placement of Instagram within a framework of social media goals
- Comparative analysis of Instagram and other social media platforms
- The role of social interaction, self-understanding, and self-expression on Instagram
- Conclusion regarding the communication and interaction dynamics of Instagram
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of Instagram as a platform for communication and interaction, highlighting its unique features and the growing importance of online communication. It outlines the paper's objective to analyze Instagram from a psychological perspective.
- Scanning Instagram: This chapter delves into the specific features of Instagram, emphasizing its focus on image sharing and its hybrid nature of nonverbal communication and action. It explores Instagram's anonymity, its focus on content creation, and its ability to connect users through a social screen. The chapter also discusses the role of image as a communicative act within the platform.
- Placing Instagram into a Framework: This chapter examines Instagram in the context of Hoffman and Novak's (2012) framework for social media goals, which focuses on the 4Cs of social media usage: consume, create, connect, and control. It analyzes how Instagram aligns with these objectives, particularly in terms of its ability to foster content consumption and creation, as well as connecting users. The chapter also highlights the platform's potential for control-related goals, citing examples like restaurant menus and National Geographic's use of Instagram.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this paper include Instagram, social media, communication, interaction, social interaction, self-understanding, self-expression, content creation, content consumption, social media goals, and online communication.
- Quote paper
- Kaan Akkanat (Author), 2012, Communication and Interaction on Instagram. A Psychological Science Perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/292770
