Social networking sites (SNSs) are designed to cure loneliness and fill a void left by the lack of face-to-face communication in this digital age. Given the rapid growth rate and extensive popularity of social networking sites, my research aims to investigate the validity of widespread claims indicating that members of the millennial generation who have grown up on SNSs are increasingly narcissistic and self-obsessed because of their involvement on these sites. To address these claims, I turn to key insights borrowed from computer sciences and social psychology, inspired by the exemplary work of Sherry Turkle and ideas from Michel Foucault. I find that the digital subject is caught in a vicious circle of narcissistic attachment and panic insecurity, driven to constant self-surveillance and examination in a digital form of the modern panopticon where cybercitizens can be left feeling alienated and alone despite continuous connection to others online. / Graduate / 0723 / 0451 / 0615 / naomikoit@gmail.com

Social networking sites (SNSs) are designed to cure loneliness and fill a void left by the lack of face-to-face communication in this digital age. Given the rapid growth rate and extensive popularity of social networking sites, my research aims to investigate the validity of widespread claims indicating that members of the millennial generation who have grown up on SNSs are increasingly narcissistic and self-obsessed because of their involvement on these sites. To address these claims, I turn to key insights borrowed from computer sciences and social psychology, inspired by the exemplary work of Sherry Turkle and ideas from Michel Foucault. I find that the digital subject is caught in a vicious circle of narcissistic attachment and panic insecurity, driven to constant self-surveillance and examination in a digital form of the modern panopticon where cybercitizens can be left feeling alienated and alone despite continuous connection to others online. / Graduate / 0723 / 0451 / 0615 / naomikoit@gmail.com

This Exegesis and accompanying artworks are the culmination of research conducted into the existence of surveillance in virtual worlds. A panoptical model has been used, and its premise tested through the extension into these communal spaces. Issues such as data security, personal and corporate privacy have been investigated, as has the use of art as a propositional mode. This Exegesis contains existing and new theoretical arguments and observations that have aided the development of research outcomes; a discussion of action research as a methodology; and questionnaire outcomes assisting in understanding player perceptions and concerns. A series of artworks were completed during the research to aid in understanding the nature of virtual surveillance; as a method to examine outcomes; and as an experiential interface for viewers of the research. The artworks investigate a series of surveillance perspectives including parental gaze, machine surveillance and self-surveillance. The outcomes include considerations into the influence surveillance has on player behaviour, security issues pertaining to the extension of corporations into virtual worlds, the acceptance of surveillance by virtual communities, and the merits of applying artworks as proposition.

Recently, researchers have gained an increased interest in examining activities that promote a more positive body image among women. Some activities such as yoga and dance have proven to be positively associated with body appreciation, both directly and through reduced self-surveillance. Theater practice has been shown to be beneficial for several facets of mental health; however, until now no research has been conducted on its’ association with body appreciation or self-surveillance. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between theater practice and body appreciation, controlling for BMI. The study also investigated the relationship between theater practice and self-surveillance, and if self-surveillance works as a mediator between theater practice and body appreciation. Participants of 231 women aged 18-40 years (M = 27.65, SD = 5.76) answered a questionnaire on theater practice, body appreciation and self-surveillance. Path analysis revealed that theater practice had no relation to body appreciation or self-surveillance when controlling for BMI. Self-surveillance and BMI were, however, negatively associated with body appreciation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. / Den senaste tiden har forskare fått ett ökat intresse för att undersöka aktiviteter som främjar en mer positiv kroppsuppfattning hos kvinnor. En del aktiviteter såsom yoga och dans har visat sig vara positivt korrelerade med kroppsuppskattning, både direkt och genom minskad självövervakning. Teaterutövande har visat sig främja olika aspekter av mental hälsa, men hittills har ingen forskning gjorts om dess samband med kroppsuppskattning eller självövervakning. Denna studie syftade till att undersöka sambandet mellan teaterutövande och kroppsuppskattning, samt kontrollera för BMI. Studien undersökte också sambandet mellan teaterutövande och självövervakning, samt om självövervakning fungerar som en mediator mellan teaterutövande och kroppsuppskattning. Deltagare bestående av 231 kvinnor i åldrarna 18–40 år (M = 27,65, SD = 5,76) svarade på frågeformulär om teaterutövande, kroppsuppskattning och självövervakning. Stiganalys visade att teaterutövande inte hade något samband till kroppsuppskattning eller självövervakning vid kontroll av BMI. Självövervakning och BMI var emellertid negativt korrelerade med kroppsuppskattning. Teoretiska och praktiska implikationer diskuteras.

The female gothic as a genre, with its emergence in the 19th century, has a history of critiquing women’s place in the domestic sphere by showcasing the horrors of the home. When The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson was first published in 1959, it did so with both this historical genre background, as well as with a resurgence of traditional gender roles as an ideal. With the help of this context, this paper will do a queer reading of Jackson’s novel, highlighting the main character Eleanor’s queer longing for her friend Theodora. It will furthermore take into consideration Eleanor’s gender and the restrictions put on it during the time, especially concerning heteronormativity. To closer examine the relation between Eleanor and her desires, Hill House as a force will be analyzed. Although previous scholars have differing conclusions regarding Hill House, the most common one is Hill House as a patriarchal presence. However, Eleanor is also shown to be merging with Hill House during the narrative. To be able to combine these readings, as well as a queer reading, Sandra Lee Bartky’s reworking of Michel Foucault’s theories of internalization and self-surveillance will be used. This results in a queer reading of the novel where Hill House reflects Eleanor’s patriarchal internalization and acts as a self-surveilling force, disciplining her queer desires and finally resulting in her suicide. Ultimately, this essay argues that the character of Eleanor in The Haunting of Hill House has internalized patriarchal oppression and acts out disciplinary acts onto her own gender and sexuality through Hill House itself, which results in an overall textual critique of heteronormative ideals.