Hiya!

I was just wondering if people personalities change when they type online.

I guess you must find it easier to say what you really think when you type on the forum but do people's real personalities show through their posts or do people create a fake persona?

I'm pretty much how I am online as I am in real life although as people don't know me, I wonder what kind of person I come accross as in my posts?

It's all a bit complicated and it's very late so I'm tired and talking jibberish but if anyone understands what I'm going on about feel free to reply! :D

Originally posted by sparklesista
I guess you must find it easier to say what you reall think when you type on the forum but do people's real personalities shpw through their posts or do people create a fake persona?


I think I could consider both statements to be true with people on this forum. Personally, I think I'm pretty much myself on here, but I think it depends entirely on someones reasons for joining an on-line community.

There are people on here that I've thought of as funny and nice, and have turned out to be living in a fantasy world when I've met them. Similarly, there seem to be some users who take great pleasure in insulting others, and generally winding people up; perhaps they are like that in real life too?

I'll be interested to hear what others think!

Mardy arse on here, mardy arse in real life, that's me.

LOL Sparklesista, you made sense to me but that could be level of alkeehol and the fact that it's the wee small hours :D

I have been on various chat rooms and groups and initially people always think I am male! I do always use an ambiguous name and maybe I just type manly, lol, I dunno. I think I am pretty much the same here as I am in the 'real' world.

There are for sure some 'fakers' out there. People that have a completely fake on-line persona - for whatever reason, their own amusement, cybersex, who knows. I have certainly came across some complete loons :o Some that I have genuinely felt sorry for, cos it's just been to get some kind of attention, which is a wee sin if only place they can get it is "cyberland" and others that are just out and out malicious and nasty!

I think "cyberland" is for the most part a wonderful place and I have met some fantastic people on-line. Without the internet I would never have had the opportunity to meet them. :)

The internet can be sort of scary because people aren't always what or who they say they are. You have to be careful.

I myself find it easier to just tell the truth because I'm a lousy liar, and I'm too lazy to try and remember what I said and who I said it to.

In the words of the late Flip Wilson, "what you see is what you get!"

http://www.tvparty.com/flip.html

I think the internet can also be a good thing. It enables people who would never have met in real life, people who are halfway round the world from each other, to talk. And I think that's absolutely marvelous!

:) Sierra

I think people can have a different persona online than off it - the question is whether they're all facets of someone's personality.

I'm very much wysiwig - what you see is what you get - even to the degree that my online ID in any communities I belong to is always JoePritchard in one form or another.

Here's a posting I put in to another thread with some possiby interesting reading matter :

"The first two are pretty academic and a little dry in places. The second two are more 'popular'. What's interesting is how old they are. There doesn't appear to have been anything similar written n recent years, which is odd. My favourite is the Rheingold book.

Cyberspace : First Steps, edited by Michael Benedikt, MIT Press, 1992

CyberSociety, edited Steven G Jones, Sage Publications, 1995

The Second Self, Sherry Turkle, Simon and Schuster, 1985

The Virtual Community, Howard Rheingold, 1993

I'll see if there are any other more accessible things around, because a lot of the other stuff around is quite headbangingly academic!"

It's always been an issue, though, the degree to which people differ between onine and offline and how the different personalities integrate together in real life.

Sierra, there's that book by William Goldman (the script writer) called 'Which Lie Did I Tell?' in which he tells the story of a Hollywood Exec. who broke off half way through a converstaion to ask his colleagues which lie he'd told the person on the phone the previous day!! Carrying multiple or differing online personas has that risk.

Even when people do try and carry a different online persona to their real life one it eventually starts 'leaking' - and if two or more personas are attempted in different online environments then it's usually possible to see the common features after a little study and put together the 'core' of someone's personality.

Interesting subject, sparklesista, thanks for bringing it up!!

Joe :)

Originally posted by BoroughGal
Mardy arse on here, mardy arse in real life, that's me.

Same here.
Barmy in real life as well. :loopy:

Originally posted by sparklesista
I was just wondering if people personalities change when they type online.

While there are undoubtedly some people who put on completely fake personalities when typing on forums, I reckon most people are pretty honest. However, as you say, typing things into a forum is very different to real life.

Different aspects of a person show through. Perhaps a person is quite quick-witted in chatty in real life, but there is little opportunity to show it on here so they appear boring. On the other hand, maybe the forum suits a particular person's way of communicating, but makes them a terrible real life conversationalist.

I am exactly the same on the forum as off it.

I have a strain of autism that runs in the family, the sort that makes it difficult to tell lies (Asperges Syndrome) So I am condemned to tell the truth. Therefor I am as I am.
The trouble is I believe everyone else is the same too.! So think everyone tells the truth. This leads to a bit of misunderstanding but mostly seems to make people want to live up to my expectations of them so I am not dissallusioned.
can't be such a bad thing.

hazel

It may be the case that a person's online persona is his or her real self, whereas the 'real life' persona is largely acting.

Irving Goffman wrote a book many years ago called 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life', in which he argued that we have many exterior 'selves' depending on the situation.

I think the internet provides us with an opportunity to express our real selves - if we so wish, or to be someone we would like to be. Oh the wonders of the internet!

One thing that DOES happen is that people can behave in ways on the Internet that would get them a swift kicking if they tried behaving like that in what might be called 'meat' life.

The relative anonymity, does, I think, help people shake off social conditioning and probably does indeed let more of their 'baseline' personality out.

Joe

Originally posted by JoePritchard
One thing that DOES happen is that people can behave in ways on the Internet that would get them a swift kicking if they tried behaving like that in what might be called 'meat' life.

The relative anonymity, does, I think, help people shake off social conditioning and probably does indeed let more of their 'baseline' personality out.

Joe

I hear ya!! he he he:P

LordChaverly makes a good point. People often have different real life personas depending on the situation.

I think I'm pretty much myself here. In fact I feel as if I've known yous guys for years.

Same online, Same in life, same in pub...

I'm a misery at work though :shakes:

I'm the same online as offline. Generally cheerful and uncontentious (I hope!) but can occasionally get a bit 'scabby' :D

I'm an Aries - we aint complicated enough to have dual personalities!

I suppose it's already obvious to you fine sophisticates that I am not really a Lord. And that I do not live at Toffingham Hall. I've got a hall, but not a Hall..........it's not fair. I picked the name Lord Snooty because it was the first thing that came into my head when I was asked for a user name (if that's what it is). It seemed an easier way in just to write in a 'persona', though I have slipped the veil on occasion. The Forum suits me because it gives me time to hone my beautifully crafted prose, in real life I am....well, I'm going to the 'meet' to drop off a DVD for someone tonight, so you can find out if you're there! For what it's worth, I think I'm pretty much the same online or off.....

I'm a bit worried what Kristian might think, though! 'Fantasy world'....oops!

I think Joe's earlier observation is true - every persona someone exhibits is a facet of the same personality.

The online one can sometimes be a manifestation of the one that is felt by the person posting to be the least acceptable IRL. When their real life requires them to be stolid, serious, PC, a jobsworth or whatever, they can allow the lighter more frivolous, flippant side to emerge online, if they have one that is :D And vice-versa.

People also often utilise the anonymity of being online to express views they hold that aren't always seen as acceptable offline: racist, sexist, envious, spiteful, bitchy etc. And some people like to stir up the mud and post just to cause the maximum aggro to others. These are usually the ones that wouldn't dare say boo to the goose IRL.

The FATAL FLAW in all this posturing is that although none of it matters really, provided you never want to get into RL contact with any of the people you've been in communication with. Then you have a bit of a problem :rolleyes:

Originally posted by LordChaverly
It may be the case that a person's online persona is his or her real self, whereas the 'real life' persona is largely acting.

Irving Goffman wrote a book many years ago called 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life', in which he argued that we have many exterior 'selves' depending on the situation.

I think the internet provides us with an opportunity to express our real selves - if we so wish, or to be someone we would like to be. Oh the wonders of the internet!

I find myself in total agreement with you, Chaverley!:o

In 'real life', we all have different roles to play with regard to other people, our home lives and work lives, etc, and of course we're not going to behave identically in each of these roles. That wouldn't be appropriate at all - but it doesn't mean we're being dishonest, or 'not ourselves', in any of those roles.

Who are we really? Are we the person other people experience? (bearing in mind everyone will experience us differently, which will also depend on their personality and role in regard to us). Or are we truly the person we feel ourselves to be inside our own heads?

Is our online identity just another facet of our personality? No more 'real' or 'unreal' than any other role we have?

Personally, I feel my online personality is very close to my 'real' self, although my IRL personality is shyer and quieter - except when people get to know me! :D

Fascinating stuff.

StarSparkle

I think LordSnooty brings in an interesting point, if we change persona do we change into something that aligns with our user name?

Psychological Nomenclature, now thats pretty cool, f you look at where it is also used.

What effect does naming things the way we do have on the people using them? For example, the naming of navy ships. Is a crewman on a navy ship with an intimidating name going to act more aggressively than one with a 'calm' name?

Perhaps it's the same on the forum?

Wilf

Originally posted by BrainThrust
I think LordSnooty brings in an interesting point, if we change persona do we change into something that aligns with our user name?

Psychological Nomenclature, now thats pretty cool, f you look at where it is also used.

What effect does naming things the way we do have on the people using them? For example, the naming of navy ships. Is a crewman on a navy ship with an intimidating name going to act more aggressively than one with a 'calm' name?

Perhaps it's the same on the forum?

Wilf

Yes, I guess that's why they make Hellfire Missiles and nothing called Warmglow. :) And Conan The Vegetarian would never have caught on.

Seriously, naming something does have an effect, in my opinion. Provided you can back up the name with attitude and effect when the need arises. George Orwell pointed out, for example, that the 'goose-step' march of the Nazis was quite a silly walk, but that you wouldn't dare laugh at them because they'd probably shoot you.

Same online - I guess that if you have a name with meaning, you will carry some of that meaning with your persona. I regard 'JoePritchard' as my online 'brand', and so any connotations attached to it come from my behviour on and offline.

Joe

Joe

I`d like to think im pretty much the same online as offline... maybe alittle shy and less confident offline though.

All depends on conditions and circumstances.

Riz :)

Personally I use the forum as a way to discuss/argue about issues that matter to me but that I can't always discuss in real life as viewpoints on certain subjects are held strongly by a lot of people and are likely to cause arguments (e.g. never talk about religion and politics), but that doesn't really matter if you don't know the people you're arguing with anyway, as is the case on here. Also, people in real who I'm close enough to discuss such topics with really aren't interested so conversations end up pretty much one sided. However I can come on here and vent my opinions on important subjects. Everyday topics such as sport, what was on TV last night, what I did at the weekend, etc, are for people in real and I don't generally discuss things like that on the forum.

Originally posted by t020
Also, people in real who I'm close enough to discuss such topics with really aren't interested so conversations end up pretty much one sided.

So what are you saying T020, is the people you know in real life aren't interested in what you have to say? Gosh! :o

This sounds to me as if you are saying you cannot win your own way with people you know, so will have your say with people you don't know.
hazel

I have got a fleet of vintage Bentleys, though.

Originally posted by Kristian
So what are you saying T020, is the people you know in real life aren't interested in what you have to say? Gosh! :o

No, it means that most people my age aren't all that interested in subjects like politics. I can come on here and discuss it with people that are, with the added bonus of not offending people who I actually know.

Originally posted by LordSnooty
I have got a fleet of vintage Bentleys, though.

I have one also, dahling Lord Snooty, should you wish to extend your fleet at any time ...


... and it's still in the original cardboard box

:D

but pehaps offending people you don't know?
Does this not matter.

hazel

Originally posted by t020
No, it means that most people my age aren't all that interested in subjects like politics. I can come on here and discuss it with people that are, with the added bonus of not offending people who I actually know.

people 'our' age aren't interested in politics? Maybe you aren't making friends with those who do talk about politics because you never show any interest in it in a 'meat' world situation?

I know plenty of people 'our' age who are interested in politics (NUS for example?). Perhaps what you are trying to say is: "I don't talk politics in real life because my views are not held by the majority of young people, who would find what I stand for deplorable"

Thats my thoughts anyway...

Wilf

Originally posted by BrainThrust
people 'our' age aren't interested in politics? Maybe you aren't making friends with those who do talk about politics because you never show any interest in it in a 'meat' world situation?

I know plenty of people 'our' age who are interested in politics (NUS for example?). Perhaps what you are trying to say is: "I don't talk politics in real life because my views are not held by the majority of young people, who would find what I stand for deplorable"

Thats my thoughts anyway...

Wilf

Yes I suppose that's a fair assessment, although "deplorable" is a bit strong.... more "unpopular".

But also it's not just about with friends - e.g. people you work with. You don't really want to be talking religion or politics with people you work with because no matter what viewpoint you hold there will always be someone with an opposing viewpoint who you would be likely to fall out with, which doesn't make for an easy working environment. Most people avoid said topics.

Originally posted by t020
You don't really want to be talking religion or politics with people you work with because no matter what viewpoint you hold there will always be someone with an opposing viewpoint who you would be likely to fall out with, which doesn't make for an easy working environment. Most people avoid said topics.

It does seem easier to 'agree to disagree' on the forum than in real life.

A good liar needs a good memory- which rules me out. I dont need fantasies, life can be wierd enough on its own.

1Man&HisBMW says: Suppose you could have two personalities..... easier if your a Gemini like me, what do you think 1Man&HisBMW?

1Man&HisBMW says: Yes 1Man&HisBMW, thats quite possible. Shall we go for a Kebab?

1Man&HisBMW says: Yes, and why not!

Originally posted by JoePritchard
One thing that DOES happen is that people can behave in ways on the Internet that would get them a swift kicking if they tried behaving like that in what might be called 'meat' life.

The relative anonymity, does, I think, help people shake off social conditioning and probably does indeed let more of their 'baseline' personality out.

Joe

I had some twerp of a newbie be downright offensive after I contributed to her request for house moving info. I was daft enough to bite, and she believed I was only 'big' because I was online :loopy:

No, I'm this gobby in real life :D

I'm sure Draggletail, Longshanks and Litha will attest to that :D

I'm a what you see is what you get person. too bad a memory to lie.Don't like rude people on or off line.Like a beer and a good laugh.:smile:

I'm the same person in real life as I am in this electronic one. The matrix is so scarily becoming what real life is...everybody doing business and communicating with friends, family and anyone with a series of 1s and 0s shooting down a cable. Every image of your sisters newborn baby or wedding pics or letters to the bank are blocks of featrless code....wow heavy!

Originally posted by First4homes
I'm the same person in real life as I am in this electronic one. The matrix is so scarily becoming what real life is...everybody doing business and communicating with friends, family and anyone with a series of 1s and 0s shooting down a cable. Every image of your sisters newborn baby or wedding pics or letters to the bank are blocks of featrless code....wow heavy!

Been on the herb tonight then ;)

Cant wait for quantum comms, i will become a stream of pure light :D ! So yeah same as my phisical self but faster haha

Yay! I'm glad people actually understood the nonsense in my first post! Just goes to show I'm not completley mad... unless the rest of you are insane also! :suspect:

Lord Chaverley's reference to Goffman [a Symbolic Interactionist of the Chicago School of Sociology] is an interesting one. Goffman's main premise is that we engage in the 'dramaturgical model' when interacting face to face. In other words, we 'manage our impressions' to convey as authentic a picture of ourselves as possible. However, the 'front region' is purely constucted falsehood. It is only in the 'back region', when we are entirely alone that we are ever truly authentic.

I think that there is just as much 'impression management' going on in a cyber situation like this one. Our communication is bound by written and unwritten rules, and aside from non-verbal behaviour [obviously, we cannot see each other], we all have a socially-constructed image. This image is managed by ourselves, and sustained by our interactions with others.

I am, as near as it is possible to be, honest in my views on the forum. It is not always possible to be quite so honest in 'real life'. Nevertheless, my friends, family and colleagues know me as a strong character with strong views. I am as humorous at home as I try to be on the forum. The problem is, without non-verbal behaviour, sometimes humour can be misinterpreted in this context. Having said that, as Goffman suggests, in real life non-verbal communication varies from culture to culture, and in some cases between classes, so there is certainly room for confusion in face to face scenarios too.

Personally, I like interesting characters- Greenback, Red Robbo, Foo Fighter, Lord C, Kristian, Boroughgal, Starsparkle , Jon J Parr spring to mind. These are all people with an interesting 'take' on life. It may be different to mine, but it is worth listening to. One can sense the depth of character behind the cyber alias.

Pretty much what you read is what you get with me I'm afraid, I wish i was more interesting!!

I haven't got the imagination to come up with an alto ego.

I'd like to think if I ever bumped into a fellow forumer they would feel they knew me a bit because I am just me on here, woman with four kids and one poorly Boxer Dog who hates being woke up by noisy birds and has to shave her legs every other day!

Originally posted by dawny1
Pretty much what you read is what you get with me I'm afraid, I wish i was more interesting!!

I haven't got the imagination to come up with an alto ego.

I'd like to think if I ever bumped into a fellow forumer they would feel they knew me a bit because I am just me on here, woman with four kids and one poorly Boxer Dog who hates being woke up by noisy birds and has to shave her legs every other day!

Is it your dog who hates being woken by the birds, or you dawny? ;)

I recently stumbled across a load of posts by someone I know in 'real life'. Although I would say his/her character comes across pretty much the same as in real life (except for being a lot more confident) I was shocked to find them telling all sorts of fibs about their life: what they do for a living, the car they drive, their hobbies and social life and so on!

There isn't really any harm in this, I just can't really understand why someone would want to do it. Does it mean that they are unhappy with who they really are, and do this to try to make themselves feel better? Do they think that if they tell enough lies, they'll start coming true?

Originally posted by mojoworking
Is it your dog who hates being woken by the birds, or you dawny? ;)

It's me. I ran a thread on my problem with annoying
birds of the feathered kind a while ago but my problem is now solved due to a laser pen!

Originally posted by timo
Lord Chaverley's reference to Goffman [a Symbolic Interactionist of the Chicago School of Sociology] is an interesting one. Goffman's main premise is that we engage in the 'dramaturgical model' when interacting face to face. In other words, we 'manage our impressions' to convey as authentic a picture of ourselves as possible. However, the 'front region' is purely constucted falsehood. It is only in the 'back region', when we are entirely alone that we are ever truly authentic.

I think that there is just as much 'impression management' going on in a cyber situation like this one. Our communication is bound by written and unwritten rules, and aside from non-verbal behaviour [obviously, we cannot see each other], we all have a socially-constructed image. This image is managed by ourselves, and sustained by our interactions with others.

I am, as near as it is possible to be, honest in my views on the forum. It is not always possible to be quite so honest in 'real life'. Nevertheless, my friends, family and colleagues know me as a strong character with strong views. I am as humorous at home as I try to be on the forum. The problem is, without non-verbal behaviour, sometimes humour can be misinterpreted in this context. Having said that, as Goffman suggests, in real life non-verbal communication varies from culture to culture, and in some cases between classes, so there is certainly room for confusion in face to face scenarios too.

Personally, I like interesting characters- Greenback, Red Robbo, Foo Fighter, Lord C, Kristian, Boroughgal, Starsparkle , Jon J Parr spring to mind. These are all people with an interesting 'take' on life. It may be different to mine, but it is worth listening to. One can sense the depth of character behind the cyber alias.

And I am sure that anyone with any knowledge of this forum would put your good self high on the list as well. In my opinion you are the most erudite and entertaining poster on this forum bar none. My only worry is that at some point you may be elevated to the post of moderator. Although I am sure you would make an excellent moderator, it would be the forum's overall loss, because I have observed that moderators spend more time in monitoring others' posts rather than in writing their own. Also, again I have observed that the posts of some forumers who become moderators seem to lose a certain sparkle - moderators become err, moderate! I am sure as a sociologist you will understand the phenomenon of role strain.

Originally posted by BoroughGal
Mardy arse on here, mardy arse in real life, that's me.

Have to agree with you on this point BoroughGal - after all, I've seen you flashing me when I've been up top of Arbourthorne!
I promised to keep your secret - but now you've told everyone on the forum!

Originally posted by Rebecca
I recently stumbled across a load of posts by someone I know in 'real life'. Although I would say his/her character comes across pretty much the same as in real life (except for being a lot more confident) I was shocked to find them telling all sorts of fibs about their life: what they do for a living, the car they drive, their hobbies and social life and so on!

There isn't really any harm in this, I just can't really understand why someone would want to do it. Does it mean that they are unhappy with who they really are, and do this to try to make themselves feel better? Do they think that if they tell enough lies, they'll start coming true?

ummm be interesting to know who that is....???

There is quite a few 'big heads' on here....who threads don't always match up week on week!!

I wouldn't dream of fibbing about my life or experiences on here...it's not what it's about!!

I think if you're not happy about an aspect of your life you need to get up of your backside and make the changes happen...not just pretend and live in a fantasy bubble....!! You'll just end up feeling even more inadequate in the end!!

True to yourself and to your word (spoken or written)!

;)

Originally posted by Shiesh
ummm be interesting to know who that is....???

:hihi: There's one in particular that springs to mind.....

Vroom, vroom ;)

Originally posted by LordSnooty
I have got a fleet of vintage Bentleys, though.

...and also an expensive privet hedge!

I do hope you took my earlier advice, my lord, and dug it all up and replaced it with a nice beech?

I wonder if anyone has two seperate accounts on the sheffield forum so that they can sign in with a different username when they want to post something nasty! :?

C'mon, 'fess up - we know you're out there! :suspect: :D

My Dear Lord Chaverley,
Thankyou for your extremely kind words. I am honoured that you find my posts 'erudite' and 'entertaining'. However, I fear I must disappoint you with regard to moderating. Whilst I am genuinely flattered that you view me as a potential 'excellent' moderator, I doubt very much whether the Cyber Lords of the forum would ever ask me to step into the role. I have a reputation for savage vituperation and maverick views, and would be a controversial 'loose cannon'. For a start, they know that my first priority would be to ban a certain demented, maladjusted poster [whose every other post is reported, these days]. Secondly, most of my postings are done at work, or when I should be working at home. I wouldn't have any time to post the postings you love, full to the brim, as they are, with beautiful, sonorous phrases that bask and play in the sun, like baby fauns.

My wife has seen some of my offerings, and says they are quite authentic. In other words, I am the same ' bullish Tory *******' on-line as I am at home. Pip pip!

I am the exact same on here as I am in person, sometimes I can be a grouch and sometimes I can be a sweet person, it all usually depends on my mood or how I feel that day.

Originally posted by Shiesh
ummm be interesting to know who that is....???


Very tempted, but I actually think it will be funnier not to, that way all the fibbers (I'm sure there are more than one) will be getting nervous!!

Definately what you see is what you get. Very honest.... I do try to be diplomatic though, would hate to upset anyone purposely.

I am not in any way shape or form manipulative or vengeful. Would like to think Iam a good person, but far from boring.

I also am a big believer in WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND, TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WISH TO BE TREATED!

My mother always used to say IF YOU CANT SAY ANYTHING NICE THEN DONT SAY IT..... gosh if half the forumers on this place took heed of that comment then there would be half the input.

Why do some people have to be up their own A***** how does it benefit them being rude, manipulative and nasty - Ive always thought its because of their own inadequecies and controlling nature.


BE TRUE TO YOURSELF OTHERWISE ITS WORTHLESS