Draft "Facebook"

Professor: Dr. Schut
Student: Andrea Debruin
Date: March 11, 2009

Facebook: A Superficial Network

Facebook is a social utility networking website that connects people with their friends, family, co-workers and new acquaintances. Mark Zuckerberg founded this online network on February 4, 2004 which currently serves over 175 million users (Facebook). The mission of Facebook as stated on the home page is to … “give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected” (Facebook). This networking phenomenon is virtually the most modern way to keep in touch with friends. There are many features that Facebook provides for its users such as uploading videos, pictures and links. However, the main goal is to facilitate communication and develop friendships.

Although Facebook was created in 2004, the number if applicants are growing each day. Facebook estimates that about 430 new applicants are added every 3 days. It is safe to say that Facebook has had a world-wide impact on communication regarding the growing number of users. Consequently, the development of interpersonal relationships is increasingly now fostered through communicating online rather than communicating face to face. This reality begs the question: what effect does online communication have on interpersonal relationships? Facebook may have many advantages such as fast, easy and effective tools to communicate with people, however; I would argue that communication on Facebook creates superficial relationships.

In contrast, communication theorist Joseph Walther argues that online communication is just as effective as face to face communication (A First Look at Communication Theory, 139). However, Walther’s theory, which is called the “Social Information Processing Theory” (SIPT) has two major disclaimers or warnings about online communication. One is that deceptive self-representation is easily achieved (144). Two, that there is a tendency of over-assuming similarity between individuals meeting online (145).

Another theory concerning communication is the “Social Penetration Theory” (SPT) coined by Altman and Taylor. They display an onion model to explain the development of interpersonal relationships. The onion model strives to visually portray the layers of information that can be communicated in relationships. The layers of the onion from the outside in are: superficial information, biographical information, attitudes about biographical information, goals, and at the core of the onion is the deepest sense of self (115). In addition, the SPT weighs relational health by viewing the breadth and depth of information disclosed (115). The breadth of information disclosed refers to the variety of topics touched upon and the depth of information refers to how deep a specific topic is talked about.

In view of Walther’s theory, his two disclaimers support that communication sent and received online, for example Facebook, has the danger of fostering superficial interpersonal relationships. This is achieved through self-deception and over assuming similarity between individuals. For instance, an individual can lie concerning personal information and misrepresent oneself. Moreover, selectively misrepresenting information can in no way foster lasting and meaningful relationships. Walther’s over assuming similarity downfall can be applied to group membership. For instance, being a member of the “Trinity Western Commuter Group” does not make an individual any more relationally close with any of the other group members, but it could make the group users believe that. Making the mistake of thinking relationships are close when in reality they are not creates a false idea of the relationship.

In regards to the SPT onion model, Facebook is used as a place to have a variety of discussions usually encompassing the first 2 layers: superficial and biographical information. In other words the breadth of information is high but the depth of certain topics is typically low. This type of communication accounts for superficial interpersonal relationships as well. As described earlier, the deepest sense of self is found out by “depth” not “breadth” so, if you cancel out depth in conversation: it is difficult to develop genuine relationships.

In conclusion, Facebook is an avenue to keep connected with people and develop relationships, however, think twice before thinking that a friend list is composed of all best friends. More often than not the friend list varies from best friends, to high school friends, or to friends of friends. The danger of the Facebooking network is the creation of false values concerning interpersonal relationships. This is a global problem, namely the decrease in relational genuineness, because almost all of society is plugged into Facebook. As a result, society should participate and interact on Facebook with these warnings in mind and strive to build interpersonal relationships face to face, so these errors can be avoided.