A Study on the Types of Multiple Identity Based on KakaoTalk Profile Images

Abstract

Background : By combining with technology, the recent KakaoTalk profile pictures have emerged as a communication method that expresses oneself in Cyberspace. As people’s desire to communicate through smart phones is increasing more and more, it has become more important to understand psychological and subjective attributes such as using types, use behavior, pursuing values, motivation for use and satisfaction of KakaoTalk profile image users. Methods : This paper adopted Q methodology for communication attributes from the perspective of humans subjective inclinations, which are consumers/users. It discussed how KakaoTalk profile images are accepted as a new communication method, and what kind of meaning they have in Cyberspace in terms of the design; a typological analysis was also examined. Especially, the subjective standpoint, which can be called inner experience of humans, was analyzed as an approach to study symbolic interactionism and subjective areas of humans. Results : The analysis utilizing Q methodology identifies five self-types: The first one is called Reality-reflecting Type (those who express their status or job in detail and prefer pictures described in detail); the second one is called Idea-expressive Type (those who focus on background images of nature or abstract aspects rather than images of real objects); the third one is called Character-creating Type (those who create their own images according to the situation and regard the creating process as a cathartic experience); the next one is called Mirror-reflecting Type (those who emphasize expressive life and recreate their own images by adjusting to the situation); The final one is called Satisfaction-faking Type (those who focus on reality-escaping or reality-exaggerating images by recreating their situation with ironical expressions). Conclusion : The identity that users want to express in online virtual spaces through virtual existence like KakaoTalk profile images is, in many ways, their appearance that they desire to actualize in real life. In conclusion, the KakaoTalk profile images in Cyberspace are characterized as being plural and fluid. In other words, they have technical limitations; however, within the limits, they express the identity that each individual aims for in Cyberspace freely and specifically.