Abstract
Young adults construct their identities on Instagram through strategic self-presentation and perceived audience reactions. Through interviews with college students, this study analyzes the platform’s significance and the motivations driving user engagement. Findings reveal a complex interplay between individual identity, societal norms, and digital presentation. Participants demonstrate a desire for authenticity while managing perceptions of their online personas. However, this duality indicates a need to understand if virtual presentations of the self can yield the same identity-affirming reactions as in-person audiences. Instagram serves as a stage for idealized self-performance, with users balancing authenticity and conformity. This study highlights evolving social norms and the need for ongoing research into Instagram's impact on identity formation.
Type of Work
Thesis - Limited Access
Department or Program
Sociology
Institution
Hamilton College
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Date of Graduation
5-2024
Faculty Advisor
Stephen Ellingson, Jaime Kucinskas
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Citation Information
McGovern, Emily '24, "The Digital Persona: The Role of Strategic Self-Presentation Among Emerging Adults on Instagram" (2024). Hamilton Digital Commons.
https://digitalcommons.hamilton.edu/soc_theses/83