Date of Award
Summer 2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Ekachai, Gee
Second Advisor
D'Urso, Scott
Third Advisor
Chattopadhyay, Sumana
Abstract
The purpose of this study explores how college students engaged with others on Snapchat and how that differed from other Social Networking Sites (SNS). Social Information Process (SIP) Theory was applied as a framework for understanding the effects of time-limited (disappearing) messages and extended conversations that can lead to “hyperpersonal” communication, a form of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) that surpasses the level of affection and emotion of Face to Face (FtF) interaction. In a series of focus groups, college students explained how they used Snapchat and other SNS and the effects it had on interpersonal communication. The participants described emotional interactions with others on Snapchat which they characterized as more authentic and in-the-moment than other SNS and that reflected hyperpersonal communication.