Who’s there? Boundaries, entitativity, and copresence in an online discussion forum

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Ernst, B. (2019). Who’s there? Boundaries, entitativity, and copresence in an online discussion forum. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

In this study, social presence theory is proposed as an explanation for the relationship between permeability of boundaries and entitativity in online groups. This claim is tested in an experiment in which group boundaries are manipulated in a fictitious online discussion forum. Structural equation modeling and multiple group analysis were used to test the proposed model and determine whether results were different across the two experimental groups. Results indicate that although participants’ perceptions of boundaries were not different across the groups, boundaries predicts both social presence and entitativity. Further, boundaries may be better conceptualized as two separate constructs (weak and strong), and these constructs have differing, and unexpected relationships with entitativity and copresence. However, when additional established antecedents of entitativity are included in the model, boundaries no longer significantly predict entitativity. Implications of studying boundaries and copresence in online and takeaways for practitioners are discussed.

Details
Author

Ernst, Brittany

Title

Who’s there? Boundaries, entitativity, and copresence in an online discussion forum

Physical Description

1 online resource (60 pages) : PDF

Date

2019

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

In this study, social presence theory is proposed as an explanation for the relationship between permeability of boundaries and entitativity in online groups. This claim is tested in an experiment in which group boundaries are manipulated in a fictitious online discussion forum. Structural equation modeling and multiple group analysis were used to test the proposed model and determine whether results were different across the two experimental groups. Results indicate that although participants’ perceptions of boundaries were not different across the groups, boundaries predicts both social presence and entitativity. Further, boundaries may be better conceptualized as two separate constructs (weak and strong), and these constructs have differing, and unexpected relationships with entitativity and copresence. However, when additional established antecedents of entitativity are included in the model, boundaries no longer significantly predict entitativity. Implications of studying boundaries and copresence in online and takeaways for practitioners are discussed.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Psychology

Degree

M.A.

Subject Area

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Blanchard, Anita

Committee Members

Canevello, Amy
Walker, Lisa

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2019.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Ernst_uncc_0694N_11936

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:309