Social Networks Do Not Increase Our Real Friends—Sociologist
Social networks have inevitably changed the way people communicate and interact with each other to the extent that this virtual community has penetrated our society in ways which have been unimaginable decades ago.
Meanwhile, most social sites promise members to expand their social circle without any limitation by allowing users to invite friends up to a thousand or more. But contrary to a recent finding by sociologists, humans will only manage up to a maximum of 150 people belonging to their inner circles. This simply means that no matter how many we add to our friends’ list, our biological and sociological makeup will only allow us to have limited friends and acquaintances.
According to Economist report, Facebook’s sociologist Cameron Marlow said that a user who has thousands of online friends will only interact with few people on his/her list, the same thing in the traditional social setting where people have limited number of people from their inner circles. This phenomenon, which is explained by the theory called Dunbar’s number, is also adopted by ape in its social structures.
Social status in online community
Social networks allow people project only desirable image minus the unpleasant ones. According to sociologist Erving Goffman, users usually only provide desirable information for others to believe while deliberately hiding information they perceived to be detrimental to their image.
Goffman also said that information such as photos, private messages, public announcement, and profile account are deliberately beautified by users, adding that most of them would augment their real market value.
While it may appear to some that social site users are only into self-glorification, communication experts said this would be acceptable as long as it is applied with moderation.
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