Theorising digital personhood: a dramaturgical approach

Finola Kerrigan, Andrew Hart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)
426 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper reports on findings from a study which investigates our digital identities. Through examination of the process of constructing biographical films derived from users’ social media (SM) data, we progress understanding of the digital self. Building on dramaturgical understandings of performance of self (Goffman, 1959; Turner, 1960, 1974, 1985), we challenge the dominant views which argue that SM users operating as their ‘authentic selves’ can be empowered by having the potential for contemporaneous multiple selves. Through the introduction of the concepts of SM leakage and multiple temporal selves, we note the challenge of living with these digital self-representations which are sustained over time. We propose strategies for dealing with temporal shifts, as well as dispensing with the notion of the separation of these selves.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1701-1721
Number of pages21
JournalJournal of Marketing Management
Volume32
Issue number17-18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Dec 2016

Keywords

  • Digital personhood
  • social networks
  • identity
  • narrative
  • internet research

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Business,Management and Accounting

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