When “Real” Seems Mediated: Inverse Presence

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Reeves Timmins ◽  
Matthew Lombard

As our lives become increasingly dominated by mediated experiences, presence scholars have noted that an increasing number of these mediated experiences evoke (tele)-presence, perceptions that ignore or misconstrue the role of the medium in the experience. In this paper we explore an interesting countertrend that seems to be occurring as well. In a variety of contexts, people are experiencing not an illusion that a mediated experience is in fact nonmediated, but the illusion that a nonmediated “real” experience is mediated. Drawing on news reports and an online survey, we identify 3 categories of this “illusion of mediation”: positive (when people perceive natural beauty as mediated), negative (when people perceive a disaster, crime, or other tragedy such as the events of September 11, 2001, as mediated), and unusual (when close connections between people's “real life” activities and mediated experiences lead them to confuse the former with the latter). We label this phenomenon inverse presence and consider its place and value in a comprehensive theory of presence, its possible antecedents and consequences, and what it suggests about the nature of our lives in the 21st century.

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juyoung Bang ◽  
Seounmi Youn ◽  
James Rowean ◽  
Michael Jennings ◽  
Manila Austin

This study examined consumers’ motivations for participating in market research online communities (MROCs) and an integrative role of community identification in explaining its motivational antecedents and consequences. Online survey data ( n = 1,461) were collected from various company-sponsored MROCs, which were run by a leading online community service provider in the United States. The findings showed that several motivations underlying MROC participation had an influence on members’ sense of identification with MROCs. Furthermore, members’ identification with MROCs was found to contribute to enhancing their feeling heard by the sponsoring company, which in turn affected their intention to continually participate in communities and trust in the sponsoring company’s brand. Theoretical and managerial implications were discussed in relation to the value that listening to consumers has for market research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 8019
Author(s):  
Wooyoung (William) Jang ◽  
Kevin K. Byon ◽  
Hyunseok Song

This study examined the effect of prior experience with esports gameplay on its antecedents and consequences. Prior experience is considered a significant factor in consumers’ intention and behavior, and in gameplay engagement it is considered the amount of gameplay time. While esports consumers are heterogeneous, only a few esports studies have been conducted. Thus, this study focused on prior esports gameplay experience to explain consumers’ behavior better and examine antecedents, esports gameplay intention, and live esports streaming content across two groups (i.e., high and low frequencies of esports gameplay). Data were collected via an online survey in Amazon Mechanical Turk (M-Turk) from esports consumers who engaged in esports gameplay and live-streaming. One-third of the median cases were excluded to create two groups designated by weekly esports gameplay hours. The results revealed different patterns in the two groups. Specifically, esports gameplay had no effect on engagement in live esports streaming content for consumers who played esport games frequently. However, gameplay intention predicted live esports streaming content engagement successfully in the group who played infrequently. These findings contributed to (1) esports research by demonstrating consumers’ heterogeneity, and the (2) extension of technology acceptance and use research in esports engagement by identifying the role of prior gameplay experience.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Donata Tania Vergura ◽  
Beatrice Luceri ◽  
Cristina Zerbini

Online social networks have become one of the most widely used sources of information in the world and also an important part of our daily life. A huge boost to their spreading came with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As social distancing and lockdown orders due to COVID-19 health emergency grew more pervasive, individuals began to spend more time online and to use social networks (SNs) to keep up to date regarding the spread of pandemic and also to maintain communication with friends and family and reduce isolation. Given these evidences, the present study aims to investigate the social supporting role of SNs during the pandemic emergency. Specifically, it intends to analyze (a) the use of SNs as a means of interaction in the face of the social containment imposed by the COVID-19 spreading, and (b) the factors (homophily, trust, loneliness, and emotional instability) that affect such use. An online survey with a sample of 194 Italian people was conducted. Structural equation modelling was used to estimate the model proposed. Results revealed that sense of belonging to SNs had a strong impact on search for social support and is, in turn, positively influenced by trust in SNs and homophily. Emotional instability also increased the search for social support. The study contributes both theoretically and empirically to the understanding of the role of SNs in influencing individual behavior. As the use of SNs continues to spread around the world, understanding why consumers rely in SNs and what gratifications they receive from them is undoubtedly of interest for both academics and practitioners.


Author(s):  
Meriem Harrizi ◽  
Amine Salim

The study investigates the factors that inspire Moroccans to engage in both online and offline civic efforts. The inquiry targeted demographics, frequency of Facebook use, the influence of online engagement on participation in real life and the main motivations behind Moroccan civic engagement online. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were adopted to collect and analyze both primary and secondary data. An online survey was administered to (n=277) participants through Facebook targeting the general public of Moroccan Facebook users to collect primary data. Secondary data was collected via semi-structured interviews with (n=3) social activists to provide a comprehensive view of both normal citizens and people who can be considered specialists in the field. The findings revealed the extent to which Moroccans’ usage of Facebook influences their engagement both online and offline, indicating that social media use for civic purposes is significantly related to offline participation. Despite that, higher levels of the so-called “slacktivism” behaviors dominate Moroccans’ civic activities performed on Facebook. Findings in general support the fact that Facebook plays a significant role in the development of civic engagement in Morocco.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-186
Author(s):  
Sekar Purbarini Kawuryan

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkontekstualisasikan pemikiran dua tokoh di abad 19 tentang pendidikan dan kebudayaan serta menemukan relevansi pemikiran tersebut dengan kompetensi peserta didik di abad 21. Penelitian ini merupakan kajian studi pustaka dengan menggunakan pendekatan analisis isi. Data berupa sumber primer dan sekunder. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik library research. Data dianalisis secara kualitatif dengan pendekatan induktif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsep pemikiran kedua tokoh saling berkaitan khususnya tentang empat poin pokok, yaitu tujuan pendidikan, fungsi pendidikan, proses  pendidikan, dan peran pendidik. Konsep pemikiran tersebut masih relevan jika dikontekstualisasikan dengan kompetensi peserta didik di abad 21. Abad 21 menghendaki peserta didik memiliki keterampilan berpikir kritis, pemecahan masalah, dan kolaborasi. Tujuan pendidikan dipandang sebagai cara mengekspresikan peradaban yang dilayani dan mengusahakan kebudayaan yang berazas keadaban. Peradaban yang akan dilayani peserta didik di abad 21 adalah perpaduan pengetahuan, pemikiran, keterampilan inovasi, media, literasi Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi (ICT), dan pengalaman kehidupan nyata. Untuk itu diperlukan peran optimal pendidik dalam memvariasikan proses pembelajaran dengan menggunakan berbagai metode sehingga pendidikan dapat menjalankan fungsinya untuk mengatasi krisis sosial dan ketertinggalan budaya, sehingga mampu mempertinggi derajat kemanusiaan. Pendidikan juga harus selalu mewariskan kebudayaan dalam setiap prosesnya agar peserta didik memiliki keluhuran budi.----------------------------------------------------------------This research aims to contextualize the thoughts of two figures in the 19th century about education and culture, and to find out the relevance of that thought to the competence of students in the 21st century. This research conducted a literature study using the content analysis approach. Data in the form of primary and secondary sources. Data collection is done by library research techniques. Data are analyzed qualitatively with an inductive approach. The research results show that the concepts of thought of the two figures are interrelated especially about the four main points, namely the purpose of education, the function of education, the educational process, and the role of educators. The concept of thought is still relevant if contextualized with the competence of students in the 21st century. The 21st century requires students to have critical thinking skills, problem solving, and collaboration. The purpose of education is seen as a way of expressing the civilization served and cultivating a culture based on civilization. The civilization that will be served by students in the 21st century is a blend of knowledge, thought, innovation skills, media, information and communication technology literacy (ICT), and real life experiences. For this reason, the optimal role of educators is needed in varying the learning process by using various methods so that education can carry out its functions to overcome social crises and cultural backwardness, so as to enhance humanity. Education also must always transmit the culture in every process so that students have nobility.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (Number 1) ◽  
pp. 49-79
Author(s):  
Jason James Turner ◽  
Puteri Sofia Amirnuddin ◽  
Harmahinder Singh Iqbal Singh

Purpose – The objective of this study was to examine the role of legal learning space in a Malaysian university and how this space impacts on law students’ preparation for the employment market. This study comes in response to the issue of inexperienced graduates, who lack appropriate employability skills for the world of work, commonly referred to as the ‘graduate skills gap’. Methodology – This study used an online survey (accessed via a QR code) on 256 law students at a university in Malaysia. The sample size comprised 213 currently enrolled students and 43 alumni, with the former cohort representing 95% of the total law student population at the university and the latter representing 17% of the total alumni population. Findings – The study found that students, regardless of their year of study, did not consider that legal learning space at the university replicated real life legal practice but thought that the space prepared them for employment. The students felt that some legal learning space was better than others in developing their employability skills. Despite this they enjoyed interacting in the space collectively and felt that it helped them improve their teamwork, communication and soft skills. It also revealed that the perceptions of legal learning space could be improved with better management of staff and student expectations. Significance – This study was one of few studies, which investigated the role of learning space in developing law students’ employability skills set. The findings helped to consolidate existing research in the area of graduate skills gap, the development of graduate employability skills, and in advancing research on identifying students’ perception of learning space and the specific skills students felt they had developed while engaged in this space. This study will be of particular interest to both employers and universities as they seek to manage each other’s expectations and pursue a more practice-based learning curriculum.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Lew ◽  
Ksenia Chistopolskaya ◽  
Yanzheng Liu ◽  
Mansor Abu Talib ◽  
Olga Mitina ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: According to the strain theory of suicide, strains, resulting from conflicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, are hypothesized to precede suicide. But social support is an important factor that can mitigate strains and lessen their input in suicidal behavior. Aims: This study was designed to assess the moderating role of social support in the relation between strain and suicidality. Methods: A sample of 1,051 employees were recruited in Beijing, the capital of China, through an online survey. Moderation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and strains were assessed with the Psychological Strains Scale. Results: Psychological strains are a good predictor of suicidality, and social support, a basic need for each human being, moderates and decreases the effects of psychological strains on suicidality. Limitations: The cross-sectional survey limited the extent to which conclusions about causal relationships can be drawn. Furthermore, the results may not be generalized to the whole of China because of its diversity. Conclusion: Social support has a tendency to mitigate the effects of psychological strains on suicidality.


2019 ◽  
pp. 39-54
Author(s):  
Marco Ieva ◽  
Cristina Ziliani

Customer Experience develops through a journey of touchpoints. However, little is known on the role of touchpoints in contributing to customer loyalty, which is the final aim of Customer Experience Management. This study provides an examination of the relative and moderating role of frequency and positivity of exposure to more than twenty touchpoints and their interplay in contributing to customer loyalty. An online survey on more than three thousand consumers is run with reference to retail banking. Results show that only a small number of touchpoints is significantly related to customer loyalty. Findings point companies' attention to invest their efforts in managing both the frequency and positivity of specific touchpoints.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document