Understanding Group Participation in Social Networking Environment: Motivations for Using Facebook Groups and Social Outcomes

• In Event: Communication Processes and Outcomes in Computer-Mediated Groups

Abstract

This study conducted a survey of college students to examine motivations for using Facebook Groups and the relationship between motivations and users’ political and civic participation offline. A factor analysis revealed four primary motivations for participating in Facebook Groups and the motivations vary depending on users’ various characteristics. The analysis of the relationship between motivations and civic and political participation indicated that informational uses were more correlated to civic and political action than recreational uses.

Authors

• Namsu Park, University of Texas, Austin

• Kerk Kee, University of Texas, Austin

• Sebastian Valenzuela, University of Texas, Austin