An Exploratory Study Of Chinese College Students' Motives, Cultural Orientations And Self-Disclosure On Xiaonei.Com

In recent years, it is not sensational any more to stress the fact that internet and computer related technologies have changed and are changing our everyday lives. This study aimed to shed light on the effects of horizontal and vertical cultural orientations on motives in the use of Social Networking Sites and online self-disclosure. All appear to be important concepts within interpersonal communications.In an effort to understand the popular trend of SNS use among college students, this thesis is based on a case study of Xiaonei.com, the largest SNS community in China. From the social psychological angle, it has first deciphered the reason and motivations behind the use of Xiaonei. In turn, it explored the interpersonal feature of SNS by examining the influence of different cultural orientations on Xiaonei self-disclosure.Results have been obtained from 176 student Xiaonei users who participated in an online survey from all around China. Factor analysis of SNS motivations for contact on Xiaonei revealed that Chinese college and university students use SNS mostly to express themselves, to seek information, to engage in social activities and, to entertain themselves. Further correlation tests have shown a significant main effect for horizontal and vertical individualism on online particular dimensions of self-disclosure. For example, horizontal individualists are less likely to engage themselves in considerable online disclosure. Also, the dichotomy of horizontal and vertical individualism have a major influence on the purpose of SNS use. Limitations and possible confounding factors were also mentioned for their potential influence on the results.