Abstract
In face-to-face communications, to avoid sanctions and disapproval from others, people are more likely to hide negative aspects of their true self (such as socially undesirable personalities, minds, beliefs and consciousness) to avoid conflict with social norms and laws. The anonymity of cyberspace provides people a unique environment to behave more freely and openly with less restraint from the real word. Existing research related to online true self expression has mainly explored true self as an independent aspect of self. Regarding true self as a two-dimensional concept, this study investigates true self from the perspective of individuals’ self-guide and identity reconstruction in both online and offline world. Using qualitative research methods, the current study investigates 57 participants through interviews and questionnaires. Content analysis reveals four factors that motivate people to express more true self (especially negative true self) when reconstructing their online identity and involve true self as a part of their self-guide in anonymous environment. By incorporating true self as an important part of individuals' self-guide and identity online, the current study advances self-discrepancy theory, making it more comprehensive for cyberspace. The results are also interpreted based on self-determination theory. The theoretical contributions of this study are discussed and practical implications are also presented.
Highlights
In the rapidly changing and developing world, identity is a significant analytic tool to understand society and human behaviors for researchers in different areas [1]
Drawing on self-discrepancy theory and self-determination theory, the current study aims to Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstruction in cyberspace fulfill these gaps by proposing concepts of positive true self and negative true self to explore whether true self is a part of individuals’ identity and self-guides online, and the reasons why individuals choose to express more true self in anonymous environment
The current study aims to Disinhibition of negative true self for identity reconstruction in cyberspace examine whether true self is a part of people’s identity and self-guide, trying to improve selfdiscrepancy theory and make it more comprehensive
Summary
In the rapidly changing and developing world, identity is a significant analytic tool to understand society and human behaviors for researchers in different areas [1]. Identity is defined as a certain “kind of people” that an individual expresses and be recognized by others in a given context [2,3]. Subjective to various given context, an individual’s identity is ambiguous and unstable [1,4]. Identity is defined as the actual attributes that an individual presents in daily life, namely actual self [5]. Actual self was proposed by Higgins [6,7] in self-discrepancy theory, along with ideal self and ought self.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
