Examines the social media mechanism and how it is transforming communication in an increasingly networked society
Social Media Communication: Trends and Theories explores how social media is transforming the way people think and behave. Providing students with an in-depth understanding of the mechanism underlying social media, this comprehensive textbook uses a multidisciplinary approach to examine social media use in a wide range of communication and business contexts. Each chapter is based on original research findings from the author as well as recent work in communication studies, neuroscience, information science, and psychology.
Divided into two parts, the text first describes the theoretical foundation of social media use, discussing the impact of social media on information processing, social networking, cognition, interpersonal and group communication, the media industry, and business marketing. The second half of the book focuses on research-based strategies for effectively using social media in communication and business such as the news industry, heath care, and social movements. Offering detailed yet accessible coverage of how digital media technology is changing human communication, this textbook:
- Helps readers make the best use of social media tools in communication and business practices
- Introduces more than a dozen theories in the areas of communication, psychology, and sociology to highlight the theoretical frameworks researchers use in social media studies
- Identifies a variety of trends involving social media usage, including the app economy and patient care
- Addresses the relation between social media and important contemporary topics such as cultural diversity, privacy, and social change
- Presents 14 imperative social media topics, each with the power to change the ways you see and use social media
Social Media Communication: Trends and Theories is the perfect textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in communication, business, journalism, business, and information science and technology. It is also an invaluable resource for researchers, educators, journalists, entrepreneurs, and professionals working in media management, advertising, public relations, and business marketing.
Table of Contents
Preface x
Part I Theoretical Foundation of Social Media Use 1
1 Why Study Social Media? 3
Overview 3
The Power of Social Media 4
Social Media in a Time of Distrust 4
The “Us vs. Them” Mentality 5
Digitization and Digitalization 5
Adoption Models of Media Technologies 7
Theory Highlight: Construal Level Theory 9
Summary 10
Looking Ahead 10
Discussion 10
References 11
2 Media Technology and Human Civilization 12
Overview 12
Definition of Social Media 13
Definition of Technology 15
Four Eras of Human Civilization 16
Theory Highlight: Technology Determinism 21
Summary 23
Looking Ahead 23
Discussion 24
References 24
3 Social Media and Computer-Mediated Communication 26
Overview 26
Social Change 27
Computer-Mediated Communication 27
Verbal and Nonverbal Cues 29
Interpersonal Communication 30
Uncertainty Reduction Theory 31
Social Information Processing Theory 32
ICT and Communication 32
Popularity of Social Media 33
Group Communication 34
Information Seeking 35
Theory Highlight: Uses and Gratifications Theory 36
Summary 37
Looking Ahead 38
Discussion 38
References 38
4 Social Media, Judgment, and Decision Making 42
Overview 42
Media Technology and Brain Activity 43
Judgment and Decision-Making Research 44
Selective Exposure 45
JDM and Social Endorsement 47
The Power of Social Context 49
Social Media for Patient Support 50
Theory Highlight: Cognitive Dissonance Theory 51
Summary 52
Looking Ahead 52
Discussion 52
References 52
5 Social Media and Behavior 55
Overview 55
Social Media and News Consumption 56
Social Media and Health Behavior 58
The Culture of Sharing 60
Knowledge Collaboration 61
Theory Highlight: Social Cognitive Theory 62
Summary 62
Looking Ahead 63
Discussion 63
References 63
6 Social Media and Privacy Concern 66
Overview 66
Internet Privacy Concern 67
Scholarly Perspectives Toward IPC 67
Four Epochs 68
Social Media Surveillance 69
Generation Gap in IPC 70
Privacy Concern at the Workplace 71
Privacy Risks and Coping Strategies 72
Theory Highlight: Need for Cognition 73
Summary 74
Looking Ahead 75
Discussion 75
References 75
7 Social Media and Culture 78
Overview 78
Cultural Diversity 78
Five Dimensions of Cultural Differences 80
Cultural Evolution 82
Cultural Influence on Social Media Usage 83
Cultural Differences in Social Media Activities 84
Theory Highlight: Cultivation Theory 85
Summary 86
Looking Ahead 86
Discussion 87
References 87
8 Problematic Use of Social Media 90
Overview 90
Warm Feelings in Social Media Use 91
Mechanism of PUSM 92
Reward System and Self-Control 94
FOMO and Phubbing 95
Cyber Troops and Social Media Manipulation 96
Relief of PUSM 99
Theory Highlight: Third-Person Effect 101
Summary 102
Looking Ahead 102
Discussion 102
References 102
Part II Social Media for Social Change 107
9 Business Use of Social Media 109
Overview 109
Business Adoption of ICT 110
Business Use of Social Media and Benefits 111
Virtual Customer Environment 114
Work Performance 115
Social Capital 116
Information Benefits in Social Networks 117
Government Use of Social Media 118
Theory Highlight: Social Network Theory 119
Summary 121
Looking Ahead 121
Discussion 121
References 122
10 Social Media Reshape the News Industry 124
Overview 124
News Consumption Habit Change 126
The Power of News Media 127
News Decision Making 129
The Power of Facebook Algorithms 129
Fake News and Misinformation 132
Declining Trust in News Media 133
News Media and Social Media Giants 135
Theory Highlight: Agenda-Setting Theory 136
Summary 137
Looking Ahead 137
Discussion 137
References 137
11 Social Media and Healthcare 139
Overview 139
Health Information on Social Media 140
Patients’ Use of Social Media 141
Health Professionals’ Use of Social Media 142
Values of Social Media Support Groups 143
Health Information Support 144
Trust in Doctors 146
Theory Highlights: Health Belief Model and Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Model 147
Summary 148
Looking Ahead 148
Discussion 149
References 149
12 The App Economy and Artificial Intelligence 152
Overview 152
1. The App Economy 152
Apps Promote Business 154
The App Intelligence 155
App Store Optimization 156
Trends of App Development 157
Trends of Mobile Commerce Apps 158
Discussion 158
References 159
Overview 160
2. Artificial Intelligence 160
AI Helps Social Media Penetration 160
AI-Powered Business Solutions 161
The Algorithm Experience 162
Social Media and AI 163
AI Empowers Marketers 164
Theory Highlight: Knowledge Gap Hypothesis 164
Summary 165
Looking Ahead 166
Discussion 166
References 166
13 Social Media and Social Movement 168
Overview 168
Social Media Speed Up Social Movements 169
New Path to Social Power 170
Mobilization and Coalition Building 171
Networked Publics 173
Social Media and Democracy 173
Theory Highlight: Diffusion of Innovation Theory 176
Summary 178
Looking Ahead 178
Discussion 178
References 178
14 The Future of Social Media 181
Overview 181
Young and Old Fish 181
Two Premises 182
The Model of Two-Stage Development 183
Digital Skills at the Workplace 185
Ethical Social Media Sites 186
Fake News on Social Media 187
Social Connectivity 188
Summary 189
Discussion 189
References 190
Index 191
