Abstract
M.A.
Identity is a broad term that has changed across time and within context. This paper
focuses specifically on notions of ‘public versus private’ identity within an online
context. Within this study I took both a qualitative and quantitative approach as a
means of data collection. This research was aimed at answering the one research
question: ‘How do UJ Facebook members use notions of public and private to
perform their identity?’ I employed a ‘mixed methodology’ of a qualitative and
quantitative approach to enable in gaining data. As part of my qualitative research I
applied the ethnographic approach; I observed a total of 25 profiles in order to
understand the way in which the UJ Facebook members ‘perform’ their identities
through their individual profiles. For twelve months I used observations to
understand and explore identities of UJ Facebook members. As part of my
quantitative research, I randomly selected 105 individuals as a representation of the
UJ Facebook group and with the use of a statistics programme (SPSS) I statistically
represented my findings.
During my twelve months of research I observed individual profiles of UJ Facebook
members and focused on ‘identity markers’ to help me to understand how identities
are represented within this space. By identity markers, I refer to markers such as
name, sex, birth date, relationship status, religious and political viewpoint, and so on.
These markers help create a perception of one’s identity based on the information
that is filled in when the profile is created by the individual. Thus, both my qualitative
and quantitative findings paint a picture of how profile pictures, status updates, walls,
information, applications and so on help communicate a message of identity to an
‘outsider’. I have found a tension between public and private performances of
identity. In tension, I don’t mean dishonesty but rather the tensions communicated by
the UJ Facebook members in the way in which their identities are performed. For
example, one of my participants does not indicate her relationship status, but her
status updates and wall is a constant communication with her boyfriend. Therefore,
at times these messages contradict each other and this tends to raise questions
about ‘how public’ and ‘how private’ ones profile really is.