One Click, Many Meanings: Interpreting Paralinguistic Digital Affordances in Social Media

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2-2016

Abstract

In this study we conceptualize cues in social media that require a single click (e.g., Likes, Favorites) as paralinguistic digital affordances (PDAs). Why do people use PDAs and how do they interpret them when they are the recipient? Through focus groups (N = 25) and interviews (N = 26) we address these research questions within a uses and gratifications framework. Using adaptive structuration theory as a lens for analysis, we examine both faithful and ironic uses of PDAs, finding they contribute more than phatic communication and may indicate just as much about the relationship between sender and receiver as they do content.

Identifier

84960449844 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2015.1127248

e-ISSN

15506878

ISSN

08838151

First Page

171

Last Page

187

Issue

1

Volume

60

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