University of Twente Student Theses
Sharing stories about politics: Social realities of Brexit on Twitter : Using symbolic convergence theory for analysis of social media sites
Markovikj, Adrijan (2020) Sharing stories about politics: Social realities of Brexit on Twitter : Using symbolic convergence theory for analysis of social media sites.
|
PDF
2MB |
| Abstract: | This study proposes a descriptive model for social realities as a response and reflection to real world events shared through dramatized stories and developed as a result of online group communication. The model was developed by aligning theoretical concepts from symbolic convergence and narrative paradigm with social media site communication and used on the case Brexit on Twitter. Previous research using these theories was conducted with a focus on organizational settings, interpersonal communication or visual cues that lead to the development of topics and social realities. However, this study postulates that symbolic convergence theory has a place in analyzing todays social media communication. The methods of analysis are based on text analysis and mining, topic modeling and network analysis. Research uncovered patterns of communication in the stories shared about the political event Brexit. Frequent patterns were negative dramatization of stories that address British politicians, mock parliament and distrust government. Storytelling on social media sites creates communities which share stances and viewpoints on social, political, or economic issues. This study finds that the narrative evolution of social realities on social media sites can be heavily influenced by negatively dramatized stories that shift viewpoints about real-world events and political issues of communities. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Studies MSc (60713) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/81275 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page