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Social media expression and the political self

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lane, DS; Lee, SS; Liang, F; Kim, DH; Shen, L; Weeks, BE; Kwak, N
Published in: Journal of Communication
February 1, 2019

Expression has the power to shape how we see ourselves. In this paper, we argue that the dynamics of political expression on social media can influence not only political behavior, but also citizens' more fundamental political self-concepts. Specifically, political expression on social media can entail a public commitment to a political self-presentation, which may lead individuals to perceive themselves as politically active, interested, efficacious, and knowledgeable. Analyzing panel survey data from the 2016 U.S. election, we find that political expression on social media increases users' motivations to present themselves as politically active on social media. Political self-presentation motivations are, in turn, positively associated with strengthened dimensions of political self-concepts (i.e., political interest, political self-efficacy, and perceived participation). Findings emphasize the role of expression in shaping political self-concepts, and further hint that this relationship may depend on whether the expressive behavior constitutes a clear, public commitment to a political self-presentation.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Journal of Communication

DOI

EISSN

1460-2466

ISSN

0021-9916

Publication Date

February 1, 2019

Volume

69

Issue

1

Start / End Page

49 / 72

Related Subject Headings

  • Communication & Media Studies
  • 4701 Communication and media studies
  • 2001 Communication and Media Studies
  • 1903 Journalism and Professional Writing
  • 1902 Film, Television and Digital Media
 

Citation

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Lane, D. S., Lee, S. S., Liang, F., Kim, D. H., Shen, L., Weeks, B. E., & Kwak, N. (2019). Social media expression and the political self. Journal of Communication, 69(1), 49–72. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqy064
Lane, D. S., S. S. Lee, F. Liang, D. H. Kim, L. Shen, B. E. Weeks, and N. Kwak. “Social media expression and the political self.” Journal of Communication 69, no. 1 (February 1, 2019): 49–72. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqy064.
Lane DS, Lee SS, Liang F, Kim DH, Shen L, Weeks BE, et al. Social media expression and the political self. Journal of Communication. 2019 Feb 1;69(1):49–72.
Lane, D. S., et al. “Social media expression and the political self.” Journal of Communication, vol. 69, no. 1, Feb. 2019, pp. 49–72. Scopus, doi:10.1093/joc/jqy064.
Lane DS, Lee SS, Liang F, Kim DH, Shen L, Weeks BE, Kwak N. Social media expression and the political self. Journal of Communication. 2019 Feb 1;69(1):49–72.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Communication

DOI

EISSN

1460-2466

ISSN

0021-9916

Publication Date

February 1, 2019

Volume

69

Issue

1

Start / End Page

49 / 72

Related Subject Headings

  • Communication & Media Studies
  • 4701 Communication and media studies
  • 2001 Communication and Media Studies
  • 1903 Journalism and Professional Writing
  • 1902 Film, Television and Digital Media