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Instagram and relationships| An analysis using focus groups

<p> Using the focus group methodology, this thesis investigated Instagram&rsquo;s impact on Knapp&rsquo;s (1978) relational model, which conceptualized romantic relationships as occurring in stages. In particular, the purpose of this thesis was to gain insight on the ways that young adults (18&ndash;25) utilized Instagram&rsquo;s affordances during the stages of romantic relationships. The focus groups elicited eight themes that provided insights on the motivations and behaviors of individuals who use Instagram&rsquo;s affordances during romantic relationship processes. These themes included: 1) information seeking, 2) reciprocal idiosyncratic &ldquo;Like,&rdquo; 3) unequivocal comment, 4) significant first picture, 5) expected profile engagement, 6) reciprocal photo sharing, 7) jealousy provoking behaviors, and 8) supplemental termination behavior. The first four themes showed that Instagram&rsquo;s affordances play a large role in the coming together stages of romantic relationships. The next two themes indicated that Instagram&rsquo;s affordances play a large role in relationship maintenance. Finally, the last two themes indicated that Instagram&rsquo;s affordances play a moderate role in the coming apart stages of relationships. The uses and gratifications theory was used to explain the findings.</p>

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10117088
Date13 July 2016
CreatorsAniss, Mostafa A.
PublisherUniversity of the Pacific
Source SetsProQuest.com
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typethesis

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