Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 1982. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-139).

The rapid growth of the internet over the past decade has provided increasing opportunities for individuals to engage in computer-mediated social interaction in virtual environments. Despite this rapid growth there has been limited research into the way people use the Internet, and the effect Internet use has on their lives (Kraut, 1996). The overall aim in the research presented in this thesis was to explore how characteristics of the individual interact with characteristics of computer-mediated communication to enable socio-emotional communication and behaviour in social text-based virtual environments. Three studies are presented. Studies One and Two are qualitative studies of social interaction in two text-based, synchronous ('real time') virtual environments: MOOs (Multi User Dimensions, Object Oriented) and Internet Relay' Chat (IRC). Grounded Theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) methodology was used to develop formal theories of social interaction within these environments. Stage models of virtual environment use were developed that described changes in social interaction over time. In MOOs, changes in social interaction over time reflected the process of coming to terms with what was initially viewed by users as an alternative reality. In IRC the central feature of social interaction that emerged was the perceived ease of communication. This was attributed to the effortlessness of meeting a wide range of potential communication partners in a social context where the communication itself was simplified to text only communication. The hypotheses developed from the qualitative research in Studies One and Two were tested in Study Three. This was a longitudinal study of new Internet users that examined the bi-directional effects of personality characteristics and computer-mediated communication on behaviour. Personality measures were poor predictors of time spent in ++ / both specific types of virtual environments and on-line in general. Based on the usage patterns across the three studies a decision pathway for the use of virtual environments was developed. A key finding across the studies was the potential for virtual environments to enhance psychological well-being for individuals who experience social discomfort in off-line settings. Limitations of the research were discussed and suggestions made for future research.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 494-503).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Politics, 2003. / Bibliography: leaves 363-390.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 297-312).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2009. / Title from web page (viewed on Dec. 2, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

From the beginning of internet, new ways of communicating with people around the world has developed in an expanding pace. Social media has taken over everyday life of regular citizens in Sweden, making us more accessible to each other than ever before. Bitmoji is a recently introduced add-on to the social media app Snapchat. A good example of the continuous development of mediated communication, since the name still rings unknown in science. This study aims investigate the basics of Bitmoji as a communicative phenomenon, using qualitative methods, and answer what functions it holds for its young users in Snapchat. The gathering of data is done through interviews with a target group of Swedish 12-15-year-old. Using previous research of similar communicative phenomenons and theories of mediated verbal and non-verbal interactions, the data is analyzed. This study comes to the conclusion that Bitmoji is a communication tool for young people to convey comical, as well as happy or neutral messages.

The main aim of this thesis was to explore the maintenance of personhood and self-image in dementia by way of facilitating collaborative communication between people with dementia and their caregivers/interaction partners. As such, the roles of the person with dementia and the interaction partner were examined in each study within the realms of the ‘Collaborative Personhood Model’. Findings of the first study highlighted strategies used by people with mild to severe dementia to maintain social interactions, to save-face and to maintain and project a sense of self-image in a reminiscence situation. The impact of introducing a family member as the interaction partner in a similar reminiscence-based situation using personal photographs was then explored. The findings of this study indicated that the personal nature of the photographs can create conflict between the person with dementia and her family member. Crucially, these studies illuminated the supportive role that the communication partner must adopt in order to successfully facilitate people with dementia to maximise their retained communication skills. Communication and sense of self was then examined in an individual with very severe dementia with some retained speech. The findings of this study illuminated the potential of imitation in communicating with people at this stage of the illness. These findings were then built upon by exploring the use of Intensive Interaction (II) in a person with very advanced dementia with no retained speech. Findings of this study indicated retained awareness of self and functional communication skills at very late stages of dementia. Finally, this study was expanded using a modified version of II (Adaptive Interaction) in a small group of individuals with very severe dementia with very little or no retained speech. These findings indicated an unprecedented desire and ability to communicate in people with such severe dementia. Taken as a whole, these studies highlighted the adaptive and collaborative role that the interaction partner must adopt in order to facilitate the maintenance of personhood and self-image in people with dementia. More specifically, the interaction partner must adjust to the communicative repertoire that is maintained at each stage of dementia and in each individual. The ‘Collaborative Personhood Model’ represents an attempt to explain how this might be achieved.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Waikato, 2008. / Title from PDF cover (viewed October 3, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 164-176)

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.