`Extending Society': The Role of Personal Networks and Gratification-Utilities in the Use of Interactive Communication Media
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2007
Keywords
email, gratifications, instant messaging, interactive communication technologies, personal networks, telephone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444807081225
Abstract
This study examined the relationship among personal network characteristics, gratification-utilities and the frequency of use of three interactive communication technologies (landline telephone, email and instant messaging). A conceptual framework is presented, providing a rationale for three hypotheses predicting positive relationships between personal network characteristics (size, intimacy and physical proximity), gratification-utilities and frequency of use.The participants were 286 college students, whom research shows are primary users of interactive media. Hypotheses 1 and 2, proposing a link between network characteristics and gratification-utilities with frequency of use, were supported, while Hypothesis 3, predicting a link between the prior two variables, was only partially supported. Frequency of use was associated more strongly with network characteristics than with gratification-utilities across the three technologies. Of the network characteristics, network size was significantly associated with gratification-utilities. Directions for future research are discussed.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
No
Citation / Publisher Attribution
New Media & Society, v. 9, issue 5, p. 795-810
Scholar Commons Citation
Dimmick, John; Ramirez, Artemio Jr.; Wang, Tao; and Lin, Shu-Fang, "`Extending Society': The Role of Personal Networks and Gratification-Utilities in the Use of Interactive Communication Media" (2007). Communication Faculty Publications. 308.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/spe_facpub/308
