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Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting

In face-to-face communications, to avoid sanctions and disapproval from others, people are more likely to hide negative aspects of their true self (such as socially undesirable personalities, minds, beliefs and consciousness) to avoid conflict with social norms and laws. The anonymity of cyberspace...

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Main Authors: Hu, C., Kumar, S., Huang, J., Ratnavelu, K.
Format: Article
Published: Public Library of Science 2017
Subjects:
Q Science (General)
QA Mathematics
Online Access:http://eprints.um.edu.my/19165/
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175623
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spelling my.um.eprints.191652018-09-06T05:20:24Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/19165/ Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting Hu, C. Kumar, S. Huang, J. Ratnavelu, K. Q Science (General) QA Mathematics In face-to-face communications, to avoid sanctions and disapproval from others, people are more likely to hide negative aspects of their true self (such as socially undesirable personalities, minds, beliefs and consciousness) to avoid conflict with social norms and laws. The anonymity of cyberspace provides people a unique environment to behave more freely and openly with less restraint from the real word. Existing research related to online true self expression has mainly explored true self as an independent aspect of self. Regarding true self as a two-dimensional concept, this study investigates true self from the perspective of individuals' self-guide and identity reconstruction in both online and offline world. Using qualitative research methods, the current study investigates 57 participants through interviews and questionnaires. Content analysis reveals four factors that motivate people to express more true self (especially negative true self) when reconstructing their online identity and involve true self as a part of their self-guide in anonymous environment. By incorporating true self as an important part of individuals' self-guide and identity online, the current study advances self-discrepancy theory, making it more comprehensive for cyberspace. The results are also interpreted based on self-determination theory. The theoretical contributions of this study are discussed and practical implications are also presented. Public Library of Science 2017 Article PeerReviewed Hu, C. and Kumar, S. and Huang, J. and Ratnavelu, K. (2017) Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting. PLoS ONE, 12 (4). e0175623. ISSN 1932-6203 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175623 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175623
institution Universiti Malaya
building UM Library
collection Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
content_provider Universiti Malaya
content_source UM Research Repository
url_provider http://eprints.um.edu.my/
topic Q Science (General)
QA Mathematics
spellingShingle Q Science (General)
QA Mathematics
Hu, C.
Kumar, S.
Huang, J.
Ratnavelu, K.
Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting
description In face-to-face communications, to avoid sanctions and disapproval from others, people are more likely to hide negative aspects of their true self (such as socially undesirable personalities, minds, beliefs and consciousness) to avoid conflict with social norms and laws. The anonymity of cyberspace provides people a unique environment to behave more freely and openly with less restraint from the real word. Existing research related to online true self expression has mainly explored true self as an independent aspect of self. Regarding true self as a two-dimensional concept, this study investigates true self from the perspective of individuals' self-guide and identity reconstruction in both online and offline world. Using qualitative research methods, the current study investigates 57 participants through interviews and questionnaires. Content analysis reveals four factors that motivate people to express more true self (especially negative true self) when reconstructing their online identity and involve true self as a part of their self-guide in anonymous environment. By incorporating true self as an important part of individuals' self-guide and identity online, the current study advances self-discrepancy theory, making it more comprehensive for cyberspace. The results are also interpreted based on self-determination theory. The theoretical contributions of this study are discussed and practical implications are also presented.
format Article
author Hu, C.
Kumar, S.
Huang, J.
Ratnavelu, K.
author_facet Hu, C.
Kumar, S.
Huang, J.
Ratnavelu, K.
author_sort Hu, C.
title Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting
title_short Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting
title_full Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting
title_fullStr Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting
title_full_unstemmed Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: Advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting
title_sort disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstructions in cyberspace: advancing self-discrepancy theory for virtual setting
publisher Public Library of Science
publishDate 2017
url http://eprints.um.edu.my/19165/
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175623
_version_ 1643690906582253568
score 13.211869

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