Extroverted Blogging

Gonzales, A., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-concept change in online environments. National Communication Association Conference. Retrieved May 27, 2010, from Communication & Mass Media Complete.

"In the twenty-first century, the Internet has given rise to new forms of self-presentation" (p. 3); one of which is the activity of blogging. "Blogs, podcasts, videocasts, YouTube, Myspace, and other self-centered computing phenomena have shifted the emphasis of social computing from interpersonal communication to a new user-friendly, mass communication" (p. 3).

According to Gonzales and Hancock (2007), “Repeatedly posting extroverted posts to a blog could potentially lead to a subtle, but permanent shift in the self-concept” (pp. 21-22). In creating this blog to express my introverted perspectives, I have unknowingly placed myself in the position of an extrovert. The simple actions required for blogging are consistent with the characteristics of an "online extrovert."

Will this active participation in blogging on my behalf lead to a permanent shift in my self-conceptualization?

"The findings from this study suggest that if users consistently present a characteristic in online public spaces, they may gradually influence a more permanent shift in self-concept; this may have particular implications for blog sites dedicated to a certain topic, in which the context reinforces the self-presentation of a particular characteristic" (p. 23).

Following my completion of this blog, I will re-examine the question and assert my conclusion based on the cumulative analysis of myself in relation to the overall blogging experience.