Structure of virtual communication in the interrelation with personal characteristics of users

Background. Having turned from a simple technology into information and communication environment, virtualization affects all spheres of human life. To date, the expansion of its influence proceeds in two main interpenetrating directions: increasing the impact of virtuality on the real world and the virtualization of reality itself. Under the influence of network communication, the consciousness of the individual changes. A new networked way of thinking and existence is being formed. With sufficiently versatile studies of cybercommunication, there is no collective image of the category of virtual communication that would describe its structure for better and more effective interaction of users on the Internet.

Objective. The aim of the study is to determine the structure of ideas about virtual communication and to identify the relationship of individual ideas with the personal characteristics of social network users.

Methods. The material was obtained during a survey (23.09.2020–15.12.2021), which asked the subjects to bring as many free associations to the phrase «Virtual communication is ...» as possible. R.B. Kettell’s 16-factor personality questionnaire (Form A) was used to diagnose personality traits.

Sample. The sample consisted of 183 people aged 18–75 years (average age 38.7 years).

Results. The main attributes of the concept of «virtual communication» among users of social networks were identified. They included such attributes as «affective» with a division into «positive emotions» and «negative emotions», «motivational», «cognitive», «objectness», «subjectness», «alternative to reality», «self-realization», «space and time», and «perception». The interrelation of individual representations of the components of virtual communication with the personal characteristics of respondents is noted.

Conclusion. According to the results of the study, eleven categories have been identified, with the help of which the concept of “virtual communication” is described by network users. The features of the received categories in different age groups are analyzed. A five-factor model of cybercommunication was obtained, which included emotional-affective, perceptual, subjectivity, motivational, and cognitive-temporal factors. The connection of the selected categories of cybercommunication with the personal characteristics of users of social networks is revealed and described.

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