Context Collapse: Social Psychology and New Media Perspectives Cover Image

Bağlam Çöküşü: Sosyal Psikoloji ve Yeni Medya Perspektifleri
Context Collapse: Social Psychology and New Media Perspectives

Author(s): Gül Esra Atalay, Zuhal Yeniçeri, Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Media studies, Social psychology and group interaction, Social differentiation
Published by: Sanat ve Dil Araştırmaları Enstitüsü
Keywords: Context collapse; self; social cognition; social roles; gender; COVID-19;

Summary/Abstract: The communication between individuals has been changed and transformed by the use and popularization of mass media. The use of social media profoundly influences the mechanics of daily life by affecting the informal interactions of individuals, as well as institutional structures and professional routines. With the widespread and increasing use of social media platforms, the effects of these platforms on individuals and society have also formed a vital research ground. The concept of context collapse can be considered one of these effects and refers to the fact that different contexts, which are an essential determinant in face-to-face social relations, collapse in virtual space. Social media platforms are open to anyone and transfer communications in different contexts in physical places into one single space. That fact causes a context collapse. Social media, where different contexts collapse on each other, remove the reference points of individuals by making their self-presentation practices more complex. This study aims to discuss the theoretical foundations of the context collapse and present a multi-disciplinary perspective by addressing social psychology and new media disciplines. For this purpose, first, the importance of context in daily life practices was emphasized within the framework of these disciplines. Afterward, theoretical debates and empirical studies on context collapse have been reviewed. Finally, the relationships between the context collapse and gender roles and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.

  • Issue Year: 9/2021
  • Issue No: 20
  • Page Range: 466-480
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Turkish